There's nothing better than being a Frog..

Project 365 - Week 9

2011-02-21T19:49:00.009+01:00

I've skipped one week of publishing the photos on my blog, but they're all on my flickr photostream.
Here they are.
I am not feeling in a blog attitute right now, I feel like I am doing a big mess in here, I've to figure out what I want to do with this, maybe I'll start a new, better defined project anywhere soon.
Who knows..

57/365 03022011
First day of freedom involved straightening my hair, using creams and lotions, taking a long shower, seeing Roberto for a drink and eat something together.

58/365 04022011
Day two of freedom involved this cream, the sun, some magazines, some crafty ideas, baking bread and journaling =)

59/365 05022011
A day for painting, having fun with my nephew, blogging and seeing a friend from High School. Fun.
He loves cupcakes, did you notice?

60/365 06022011
A sunny day packed with blogging before leaving and panning the trip to London. Finished a painting and enjoyed the weather.

61/365 07022011
The day before leaving for London. In Turin there were 13 °C, hot for February.

62/365 08022011
At Milano Malpensa waiting for the check in to open

63/365 09022011
The real old-fashioned double decker

Juliette

London - Details

2011-02-21T12:57:00.000+01:00

London - Façades

2011-02-20T12:20:00.000+01:00

London - Market

2011-02-19T11:46:00.000+01:00

Covent Garden, Portobello Road and Camden Town

I would have bought a thousand things, unfortunately my bags have a limited size.

Live the Language

2011-02-18T14:34:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I am a huge fan of language, IPA (or API) alphabet, phonetics; I would love to learn every language of the world if I could have a super power.
My friends and I often, or better, always, analyse translations, choices of translators, mistakes and good ideas. That is probably one of the reasons I always feel insecure when writing something in English, especially here on my blog. I don't want to make stupid mistakes and sound akward.

I was so happy when I saw the commercial for EF Language Schools that was posted on Black Eiffel. I definitely felt inspired and immediately looked up the other videos of the series.
Of course I will share the video which is most inspiring to me: London.

EF - Live The Language - London from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Please, take the time to watch the other videos as well.
I like the concept and the combination of wonderful images, lovely scenes, words and IPA alphabet, just to show you what a wonderful thing language is.

I would watch it over and over again. Seriously.

Juliette

Gefeliciteerd

2011-02-18T11:32:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday to the person who is always ready to help me and listen to my rants. The person who is always doing his best and nevertheless feels as if he's doing something wrong. The person who accepts that I want lo leave and travel, and wants to come with me. Who understands when I'm in need of cuddles. Who does anything to make me smile and make me happy.

Happy 24th Birthday Roberto
I love you, Ti amo!

Juliette

London - by Night

2011-02-17T17:07:00.000+01:00

Back

2011-02-17T10:49:00.004+01:00

On Tuesday I came back home from London. I had so much fun and I am getting more and more confident about planning trips and organising everything without too much stress.
Of course, when you leave with some friends you have to take into consideration that it's normal being stressed out from each other at one point. But you lso have to learn to accept that we are not the same person, we have other routines, other tastes and so on and keep in mind you won't be together forever, that you have to be yourself and you don't have to do everything together, you can also go on a walk alone every now and then during your trip.

These days in London we had so much fun, we went out at night, we danced, we laughed, we did a lot of shopping, saw every building and museum. Now that I am back I am looking forward to leave again in the very near future. Traveling is my passion, and as soon as I graduate I will be leaving for sure.

Not to make things too boring and long I will be posting some photos I took (during the next few days). Hope you'll like them and maybe can share your story if you have ever been to London.

Juliette

Interview - Katja from "Maedchenmitherz"

2011-02-16T11:49:00.001+01:00

Hello sweet readers!

As you may know yesterday I came back from London. I asked a special blogger to answer some questions about herself in order to get to know her better. She is Katja and blogs at Maedchenmitherz ,I was once looking for some pics of Fimo creations, I found her flickr and the link to her blog. She introduced me, unwillingly, to the blogworld =) (I don't even know if she know that).

I am so happy she agreed on answering some questions about herself, make sure to look at her blog, because it's really full of inpiring things.

Hello Katja,

Could you tell us something about yourself..

Hi there! I am Katja, a crafty almost-27-year old girl from Germany. My blog is called Maedchenmitherz which means girl with heart. It's a place for inspirations, DIYs and peeks into my personal life. I am a social worker during the week and the weekends are for crafting. I live in a small town near the north sea with my boyfriend and our cat.
And well, besides creative blogging I am much into photography (and cameras!), fashion, the vintage style, owls and LOST.

How did you start blogging?

I've had a blog since I was 16 - but that was more a personal diary. 2 years ago, I was bored and felt the deep need to get crafty - so I purchased some polymer clay and started creating. To show my creations, I began blogging. But it has become a very important part of my daily life. I never would have guessed that though :)

Did you always have a passion for crafting? How did it all start?

My grandma (who died 15 years ago) had a deep love for handmade stuff. She knitted dresses for my dolls and taught me how to crochet and knit when I was about 8. Unfortunately, it took me a long while to get back in the productive mood. But it has always been a part of me to create things to make other people happy!

What do you like doing when you have a day off from work?

First of all I like to spend my weekends or days off crafting. It makes me very happy and also it helps me calm down and focus on other things than work. But I also like to spend time with friends - playing Wii or watching a good movie. Or baking. Or cooking. Or surfing the internet. Or going out for walks.

How would you describe your personality?

Uh, tough question. I think I am a nice person. I don't like to be the center of attention even though - of course - with showing my creative adventures I want people to notice me. :) I don't need much trouble in my life, I love harmony.

Do you prefer coffee or tea?

I'm definitely a tea-girl. I like trying new teas every day. <3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">

Have you ever thought of living in another country? If yes, which country would you choose?

I often think of living some place different. The town I live in is really really small and not much is happening around here. If I could choose I would either want to live in America or Japan or in Sweden. All 3 are very different countries. I would love to live in America because most of my "blog friends" live there and it feels like a very creative country. Japan is on my list because I am fascinated with the asian culture. And Sweden is a country I have never been to (it's on my travel list!!!!) but I feel would be a great place to live. You know, it would be hard to decide!

What is your ideal breakfast?

Erm, it depends. I'd always go for pancakes and tea. :)

What is your favorite spice?

Haha, I'd like to say Sugar if that counts!

Do you have a to-do list or don't you like planning?

I actually like making lists because it is so satisfying crossing things off your list! But I don't often use them. Mostly because even if I plan things my days end differently!

Have you ever created something that now means something special to you?

I created many things that are special to me. For example mini albums that I gave to important people in my life.

What is your favorite craft-y activity (sewing, knitting, journaling..)?

Oh my, if I had to choose I would probably pick journaling. Right now, it's a great possibility for me to think of the important things in my life while I journal. But I am actually really glad I don't have to choose ;)

Thank you Juliette for sending me those questions! They made me smile very often <3>

I think you might have noticed she loves owls =) Go and stop at her blog to know how to make all the great ideas she showed us!

Thank you so much Katja,

Juliette

A message for you

2011-02-14T09:54:00.000+01:00

Ik hou van je.

Juliette

Mattia is 1 today!

2011-02-13T08:06:00.000+01:00

Last year I left for Berlin after the due date of my nephew's birth. He still wasn't there.
I was a bit sad, but also happy I was going to be an aunt soon. On the 12th of February they texted me he was on the way. I was so happy, I wish I could have been there. I literally made my friends crazy talking about the baby. The next day, on the 13th of February he was already being cute in this crazy world. Then I came home and immediately got to know my 5 days-old nephew, Mattia. I mentioned it in this post.

I haven't seen him much this year, but the couple of times have been magic. My parents and I have been babysitting a few times, lately, and he's such a cute little boy. Now he's already one year old and he's the cutest.

Now I am in London and kinda sad I can't be there for his birthday. But I will be there many other years for sure, maybe when he'll understand better and I can bake a giant cake for him (I am sure he loves cake!) =).

Happy Birthday little Mattia, love you!

Juliette

Music - Tiziano Ferro "Il sole esiste per tutti"

2011-02-12T09:45:00.000+01:00

Hello!

How are you? I hope you're doing fine.
Today, I could show you a video by Tiziano Ferro, an italian singer who is wuite known also abroad. He has a very particular voice, he's not my favorite singer, but I always listened to his hits, and always followed a bit his story. Sometimes I can really reflect in the words he sings.

This song for example gives me hope, the title itself has a wonderful meaning "The sun is there for everybody", there's a message of freedom and equality he wants to convey. I love it, I hope you'll do too.

What do you think about it? Which songs gives you hope?

Have a nice day!

Juliette

Guest Post - Stephany from "Influence"

2011-02-11T16:52:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, my name's Stefany and my blog is called Influence. I'm thrilled to be doing a little guest blog post whilst Juliette is away in London. I thought I'd share with you all some items that are on my wish-list for this spring/summer. There are so many gorgeous clothes in the shops just now that it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but when you have a few items in mind it makes shopping much easier. The items I have chosen are all from Topshop and are available to buy now... you don't have to wait for summer ;)

I love this little outfit, it's casual and dressy at the same time and minus the shoes it's not hugely expensive either which is always nice. As you can see I really love neutral tones, they're so easy to wear and suit everyone's skin tone.

I hope you like the items I've chosen. Have you spotted any must haves for summer yet? What's your favourite shop?

Stefany xxx

Thursday - Loves - Valentine's Day

2011-02-10T11:58:00.000+01:00

Hello!

how are you? As Valentine's day is approaching a lot of cuteness is shared among other blogs, and I really found a lot of inspiration.
I have to admit that it's the second year in a row I'm not home on Valentine's Day and I am not going to see Roberto on that day. The fact is I don't dislike this day, but actually, I think it's important to show your love to the people you love every day, or whenever you feel like doing it.

It's nice to find so much inspiration around anyway, because I can collect all the ideas and use them toward the year ^^

For example look at this blog: Happy Serendipity.

She shared so many ideas during her "Be my Valentine week": cute prints, wonderful photos, DIYs, and free printables!!

I loved these simple cards and I left the one with "I love you more than.." hidden somewhere for Roberto. (Oh, and i love him more than..bread. That means I love him very very much!)

While I was printing this, Katja posted this Valentine's card on her blog.

And since I hadn't the time to print it, because Roberto suddently came home, I am planning on giving it to him later this year (thank you anyway, Katja!)

And what about this DIY to make Arrow Cupcake Toppers by The Sweetest Occasion? Easy, simple and..a great idea!

You could give your Valentine some fruit with a cute message for him. These stickers by Twig&Thistle are so funny! (Another free printable) I would be so happy to receive an apple with a message for me =), and look at their Valentine's Day Brownie Bags!!

Pizzazzerie always shares the most beautiful photos of parties and dinners. You can look at their Valentine's Day section to find these tinyprints V. day Invitations and Cards

and this "Tweet Treats" Valentine's Party

Enough love for today?
What are you going to do for Valentine's day? Are going to do something special?

Have a nice day,

Juliette

In which season are we?

2011-02-07T17:37:00.007+01:00

Is it Autumn?

Or is it Spring?

Well, maybe we still have some snow in the backyard, that's the only sign of winter around here these days. Now I am in Turin, tomorrow I'll leave for London.
I just checked the results of the last exams I did: I passed everything, even the most difficult ones. I am so happy I can leave without having to think about exams. Now I have only one semester to go!

How's the weather like where you are?

Juliette

Never skip breakfast

2011-02-06T15:02:00.004+01:00

That's one of the golden rules, right?

I love breakfast.
The smell of bread from the oven.
A latte macchiato at the bar (thanks god I live in Italy ^^)
I'd choose muesli if I'd have to
and I also like a cup full of fresh fruit, reminds me of summer yumminess.

Just in case you forgot:

Sometimes I forget, but every Sunday, when I am with Roberto we like to sit down for a ong while getting ready for the day, sipping on a coffee and eating the things we like the most.
I'm a breakfast girl.

What is your favorite meal of the day? What do you think of the painting, do you like it?

Thank you for reading!

Tomorrow I'll leave for Turin and on Tuesday I'll leave for London. I have been looking forward to leaving so much! There will be some nice surprises around here: a guest post and an interview with the most beautiful girls! =)

Juliette

On being shy and insecure

2011-02-05T10:16:00.000+01:00

I am not at all confident about myself, even if on this blog I try to look outgoing and talkative. That's not me. I am trying to like myself (you might have noticed my first goal on my 21 before 22 list) and it's being really difficult.

I watch in the mirror something like 300 times before going out, change my clothes a hundred of times and most of times just want to crawl up in my bed not to be seen by anyone. This has to change because it's being a major issue in my life.

Therefore, I am trying to see the nice things in myself: I like my hair, my eyes,..mmhh.. and not much more. But I also have a love for fashion that I tend to hide and destroy because I am afraid someone wouldn't like it. Most of times I buy something I know other people would like and accept and not criticise. Well, isn't that a stupid thing to do? Hello! How not be be myself!

I am the girl who loved orange and always wore orange sweaters when she was 10. Then a teacher once said he like my colorful clothing in front of the whole class. That day I started to wear black, every day, always.
Now I don't like orange anymore, I still like black. But also lilac, light blue, purple..

I've always tried to get back on my habit of wearing what I like, but never really fulfilled this need. Two years ago, it was my first year at University, I painted my nails, every nail a different colour: orange, red, blue, yellow, pink.. And everyone loved it, they said it was a crazy idea, people even stopped me in the train and on the road to ask me and say they liked it.
What did I do? I thought in reality people didn't like it, that with all their compliments they were kidding me.
This is something that is really stopping myself of being who I am, a colorful, crazy girl.
(I want some light blue locks so badly!)

I know I am getting a bit personal, I am sorry. But the blogworld has shown me that there are some people like me around the world. People with the same problems, but also people with such great ideas, nice style, colorful looks, and they don't really give a damn. And they're happy. So why don't try to be myself not only on my blog, but also in real life?

I am going to be less shy here too, maybe posting some drawing I make even if they're not perfect, some ideas I had or some fashion related posts.

Thank you for reading,

Juliette

Obstacles

2011-02-04T12:21:00.003+01:00

Hello!

I was planning on do a makeover of this dress that belonged to my aunt and I have been owning for at least 5 years (and nevere wore) for a while now.
So today was the day. I have to insert a zip and maybe make it just a bit shorter.
I love the floral pattern and I think it would be the perfect dress for this spring.

The fact is.. the sewing machine is broken.
Uuuuuhhh, so I will have to save this idea for later and maybe do something else.

I thought of doing Katja's 28 days Journaling Project. I am planning on doing it on my own way, because I won't be at home every day in February, so I will save her cute ideas and do them when I'll have the time.

Have a nice day!

Juliette

Thursday - Loves

2011-02-03T15:10:00.008+01:00

I am getting ready to meet Roberto and spend some hours together. These are the things I liked this week:

Floral dresses

This bedroom

This rustic shop

These colours in my closet

White Kitchen

Hope you like it!

Juliette

It's time to do what I like

2011-02-03T13:01:00.006+01:00

The past two months I've been doing not much more than reading, studying, writing and thinking. Yesterday, as I already told you a hundred times, I did the last exam of this session. I had many exams this time and most of all, many of them were Literature exams. I like reading, but since I was little teachers have always told me which book I had to read. Why are those books always the most pessimistic works in this world? Why are they filled with montains of negative thoughts? I know the world isn't all colours and smiles, but I know there's also some pretty nice Literature around there. Why don't read that literature, at least some time.

The important thing is: I will (probably) never ever have to do a Literature exam again!

Next semester I'll have to write my final essay and then I'll be graduated, yay! (Still some other classes to attend and some exams to do, though).

These last days I was so tired, I almost freaked out a few times. Sometimes I act very rudely toward the people around me just because I feel that I have to do all this, I have to finish a book in one day, I have to write X pages, etc. I am a perfectionist in almost every side of my life, and this is causing some serious problems. Now, all I have to do is change this attitude. It will be so difficult, because I've been like this for years. But I am really trying to be more positive and see my faults as something that will help me to change.

I think I'll be posting something lighter tomorrow, or this evening. This was just to vent and also to show you who I am a little bit more.

So, today is for:

Sleeping until 11 am (check)
Reading blogs (check)
Make cute Valentine's cards
Take a long shower
Drink coffee
Relax
Buy something for myself
Go for a drink with Roberto
Tell him that I love him
Plan trip to London
Draw
Bake bread
Write more blog posts

Ok, this list is for the coming few days, I won't do all these things today, otherwise I'll get crazy.
I am going to spoil myself today, and I don't have to feel guilty about it, right?

Have a nice day lovely readers!

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 8

2011-02-02T22:21:00.010+01:00

Hello,
this is week eight of project 365. I think this project is fun, when I have time I start thinking about which photo I could take, when I see something funny/amusing/nice/pretty I know exactly that will be the "photo of the day", and other times I am like "Oh, I have to take a photo", I pick a random thing and just take a picture (most of the times this is the case).

I am finally exam-free for a while I was sooo looking forward for this moment, and now it's finally here, yay!

50/365 27012011
Back home I found my little Monster in this box, later he even slept in it, just a bit too small for him, but anyways, I think he liked it.

51/365 28012011
Rediscovered this, I used to use it every day last year, now I don't drink coffee that much anymore, but I could use it for tea.

52/365 29012011
So cute to see my little nephew Mattia and his uncle Roberto together. He loves kids and liked spending some time with Mattia.
Today was the first day it snowed really really hard. So, even if it's saturday I think we'll stya home tonight. Roberto is cooking for me, so it's super ok =)

53/365 30012011
I finally got some warm coziness in my room. I never stay in my room because it's one of the coldest places on earth. Sunday, Roberto and I stayed in my room to study, laugh, read, talk and watch gossip girl, haha.

54/365 31012011
Stayed home to study like crazy for the last few days. These are the curtains of my room, I don't like them actually, and I think some day I might change them.

55/365 01022011
Back to Turin for the last exam of this session, by car this time, with my mom.

56/365 02022011
Last exam done in the morning, drove back home. If you look at the photo you'll see the valley, the sea, and in the background land: that's Sardinia, I livei n Liguria and in some very clear days we can see the coasts of Sardinia from here.

Juliette

Hello, February

2011-02-01T10:11:00.003+01:00

(source)

Hello!
Of course this is not meant to be original, but: Is it February already? I mean, January has 31 days! And how fast will February fly by since it has only 28 days. (I just realized the "u" in February is a bit weird. Maybe it's just because I often think about words and how I would translate them into Italian. February hasn't any "u" in Italian, it's just "Febbraio". End of the rant).

Tomorrow is the big day of the last exam of this session. It has been exhausting, I am studying non stop since December, 20. Yeah, maybe I've celebrated Christmas and New Year's Eve, but I am pretty sure I missed a few things this month. But I'll catch up with everything in the next two weeks, yay!

I'll be back the day after tomorrow, I'll finally have some time to spend on blogging, crafting, painting, and maybe even sewing. And on the 9th I'll be flying to London. I am so excited!

I just wanted to leave you some cuteness. The prettiest couple and a lovely song. And a quote I think I will be getting a tatoo with this wuote on my forehead. I think we all should.

Smile!

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.

J.K. Rowling

Juliette

Thursday - Loves

2011-01-27T19:31:00.008+01:00

This week I liked:

Harry Potter inspiration (this tumblr is amazing).

Pretty cosiness

Gorgeous illustrations and style

Beautifully organised shops

Yummy Breakfast

This was my weekly dose of inspiration, I am really looking forward to spring, and to sun, nice weather and floral patterns on my clothes =)

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 7

2011-01-26T21:27:00.010+01:00

Hello!
I haven't got much to tell you about this week. I just survived on tea and books. Today I had three exams, I am so glad they're over! Now I still have one more to go, for which I have to read six books. But for today I'm going to relax a bit, and since it's already evening, I think that will mean, I'll sleep. Tomorrow I'll catch an early train back home and start studying again.

43/365 20012011
It was so cold today, after these few days of mild weather. It was super windy and I stayed homw the whole day to study and did nothing else. I am looking forward for these exams to finish and go to London! =)

44/365 21012011
Roberto and I went to the pub where we used to spend almost every evening some years ago. There's where he first gave me his hand and where we went on our first dates. It was a lovely evening and we had this special, sweet beer, I loved it! =)

45/365 22012011
First thing in the morning we had a wonderful breakfast with a 5 cereals focaccia and a latte macchiato for me and a cappuccino for Roberto. Then we headed back home because I had to study. I studied unti late in the afternoon and then we went out for a drink in the evening.

46/365 23012011
I baked bread, and I studied, that's all I can remember from that day. Study is overwhelming me and it's as if I am living in a sort of limbo. It's a pity because I think I won't remember that much of the thing I do during these day, even if they may be nice.

47/365 24012011
This is the list of some of the authors I had to study for the English Literature test II. I had to know also all their works, the period they lived in, their lives, the history of the period and the plot of each and every single of their works. Fortunately there was a pretty sun that day, I studied outside enjoying it for 10 minutes. Then I went back inside.

48/365 25012011
Why do we have a Helly Kitty ball around the house? I don't know, I don't like Hello Kitty. If you want the answer you could ask my father, he bought it. Oh, he bought two of them.

49/365 26012011
This was a solid help today. I had three exams. Two of German, Grammar and "Textarbeit" (we were allowed to use the monolingual dictionary, for the second part only. And an English Literature Exam. I cam home exhausted. Now I still have one week to go, and then we'll leave for London. =)

Juliette

In days like these..

2011-01-24T20:19:00.004+01:00

I often wander through my memories and dream about the most wonderful places where I have been. This summer Roberto and I went on a roadtrip through Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Belgium and France. The most amazing experience.
I wish I could go back to those 10 days even for a minute.

Juliette

Thursday - Loves (on friday)

2011-01-21T11:05:00.009+01:00

Hello!
This night has been so windy and today is even worse. It seems as if the house could fly away at any moment. I'll study the whole day and maybe I'll go out with Roberto this evening.
Here some things I liked lately:

This wonderful video, I always have wondered how they get so organised and coordinate.

100,000 starlings fill the skies in Poole from Mark Rigler on Vimeo.

These wonderful dresses, I want spring back =)

Diagrams which speak the truth

Pretty illustrations

Yummy ideas

Dreams

This hair

Have a nice weekend, hopefully it won't get too cold!

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 6

2011-01-20T20:29:00.012+01:00

I am quite tired of studying and I am so looking forward to go to London again in a few weeks, with my best friends. I passed all of my exams until now and after the trip to London I'll have to start writing my final essay, wow! =)

Here's week 6 of my project 365. Hope you'll like the photos ^^

36/365 13012011
Woke up very early to catch the first train to get back home. Delay of 40 minutes, had to take the next train (studied a lot in the train, having more then 5 hours) which arrived at destination at 12.20 pm. Was quite tired when I got home, read blogs and unpacked. I plan to see Roberto this evening for a beer date, haha, will be fun.
These are the photos I've hanging in my room: Giada, my beloved dog (who was poisoned a few years ago and therefore died, I miss her every day) when she was a puppy. My class at our first day of exam at high school and my brother and me some years ago, I think four of five.

37/365 14012011
I baked sourdough bread in the breaks between one book and a notebook.

38/365 15012011
We enjoyed the wonderful day. The sun was shining, it was like being in spring.

39/365 16012011
Another nice sunny day, we ate breakfast outside. This was R's breakfast: my bread and imported stuff from Holland.
To Turin in the afternoon. With my mum.

40/365 17012011
In Turin with my mum for an exam. She painted this for me, inspired by a painting I found on the Internet one day (I cannot find it anymore, so write me if you know the source and the amazing artist who made this). It now hangs on the wall in my room. I spent the whole day waiting for my exam to take place, but 30/30 was the result, happy.

41/365 18012011
The small bed my mom bought for her grandchildren. Ready to be used by my nephew Mattia.

42/365 19012011
And there he is, the protagonist of our day: Mattia, my wonderful nephew. We are all fond of him. He's so funny and playful, he walks kilometers and never complains.

Have a nice evening!

Juliette

Music - Elisa "Qualcosa che non c'è"

2011-01-18T18:57:00.005+01:00

I thought I could share an Italian music video, you know, maybe you like it. ^^
The singer is called Elisa, she has a beautiful voice.
She released her first hit when I was about 11 and this song I'm sharing is from 2007. It has some meaningful lyrics in my opinion and I really like the video because of the colours and lights.

Let me know if you like it ^^
(I don't like not being aroud that much, but I have so many things to study)

Sourdough Starter & Sourdough Bread

2011-01-14T17:47:00.009+01:00

Since a few day I was finally successful in keeping my Sourdough Starter puppies alive =).
I tried it in Turin, but there the temperature was simply too low, so I am not the one to blame.
I tried here. My mom is superactive the whole day keeping the house warm and cosy.

How to make a successful Sourdough Starter?

You will need :
a jar (that you can close).
50 g flour (+100 g)
50 ml water (luke warm) (+100ml)

Mix the two ingredients, put in a jar which you will close and store in a warm, dry place.
After 24 hours, add another 50 g of flour and 50 ml water (not cold!, but lukewarm).
Store again and the day after repeat the process another time.
At this time, bubbles will fill your jar.
Don't panic if there aren't many many bubbles, if there're just a few bubbles it means they're alive down there!

Now you can use your starte to make Sourdough Bread
If you don't use the starter in one week you can keep it stored, no problem, but after a week remember to refresh it, the little ones there need to eat, so add 50 g of flour and 50 ml of water.

If you want to keep some Started for the next time, not to have to redo the whole process, just put a ball of dough in the jar (and remember to refresh it if not used to a week).

Directions

Mix the Sourdough starter in a large Bowl with flour and lukewarm water until a dough ball, if you're familiar with bread baking you just fell and know when the proportions are right. You'll have to have a soft and light dough, do not add too much flour because the Stater has to do his work, and carrying all that flour can be heavy for them.
Don't forget to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Allow to rest for 1.5 hour or 2 hours if you aren't in a hurry.
Butter or oil a baking pan.
Knead the dough and put in the baking pan, allow to rest another hour.
Preheat the oven at 190 °C (380 F).
Bruch a little of olive oil (easy for me to say, I live in Italy and in a olive oil producing region too) on top of the dough and put in the oven for 20/30 minutes.
Allow to cool on a rack (ok, this is the most difficult step, I never do this) and..eat!

I hope I helped somebody, it's so easy and nice to know you can make bread out of scarcely three ingredients.
I know it seems an impossible mission to do this, and it takes three days to get the starter ready, but you have to do almost nothing if those three days. And it has a delicious taste.

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 5

2011-01-13T15:30:00.008+01:00

It's already week 5 of the 365 project. I know I already said this, but time if flying! If you want to see all of the photos, visit my flickr!

29/365 06012011
I planned on reading the whole day. Exams are approaching and I am pretty nervous. But a loooot of inespected guests arrived and I just made coffee and gave panettone for the shole day. It was funny by the way, but now it's really time to read, read, and read. Oh, and it rained the whole day.

30/365 07012011
Mattia, my little nephew of 10 months came to visit us. My brother's eyes shine when he looks at his son. I love both of them.

31/365 08012011
A simple, italian, breakfast at a very nice bar.
Roberto and I did some grocery shopping, went home to study a bit and at evening went out to go back to a pub where we used to go everyday the year that we met. The place where he first gave me his hand, where a lot of magic happened. We learnt to know each other there, and going back after such a long period was touching in a way. I felt like coming home after a long trip.

32/365 09012011
Reorganised my room before leaving, so when I'll come back in a few days I'll a have a pretty, clean, tidy room. Came back to Turin today, had a chat with two friends on the train and had the chance to read a lot in those 4 hours. Tomorrow classes will start again, and next week: exams!

33/365 10012011
Back in Turin, my bed was immediately a mess with my bag, clothes, scarf, planner, etc. I'm studying a lot, and when I feel I've to study I don't think at being tudy at all, I just throw anything where I want and think only "study, study, study..". Many times I am overwhelmed by anxiety for not being fast and good enough in my studies, but then I face reality, I am one of the first in my course, so don't panic!

34/365 11012011
Another day of study. Woke up, studied a lot, rad book, wrote notes, and then I went to the library, doing some errands and at last to a 6-8 pm class. Came home, read blogs, and studied a bit more. These slippers because most of the day I stayed home, but not exactly doing nothing.
Come on in a month I'll be in London!

35/365 12012011
I had a day full of University stuff going on. I had to register a note on my personal record book, go to the library, meet a teacher, wait for the apprenticeship office to open, go to classes and study. It was a long day which finished with a reading session until 00.40 am. I had to wake up at 5.30 am the day after (today).

I am being a bit absent and silent lately, you know it's only because of the exams, I have really many many book especially for German Literature to read.
I'll be back one day, haha.

Juliette

Video Inspiration

2011-01-11T21:19:00.004+01:00

I am seeing a lot of lovely videos on Vimeo lately, it's an obsession. I don't understand how people can make such beautiful videos. It's like being in a dream.

Watch this for example, I found it browsing around the Internet. It's "just another couple showing their love", but I always think they're the cutest: people showing love.

Lex & Loren - Engagement/Save the date! from Loren Brinton Films on Vimeo.

Juliette

2011-01-08T16:50:00.007+01:00

Hey there,

just a quick update.

I won't be there often these weeks, because the winter session will start next week until the 5th of February. Therefore it will be a busy month for me, but not here on the blog, unfortunately.
However, I have some nice things to look forward to.

From the 8th to the 15th of March I will be in London.
Like last year, when we went ot Berlin, we are going (with we, I mean two of my best friends and I) on a one week trip to London to talk a bit of English, because we don't get many opportunities of actually speaking English here.

When I'll come back Roberto and I will go to Gubbio for two days. Just a lovely, romantic weekend to celebrate Roberto's birthday.

(the wonderful hotel we will stay in)

I hope there will be many other lovely plans coming, I love traveling and having fun, who doesn't!

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 4

2011-01-07T11:37:00.008+01:00

It's already week 4 of my project 365!
I am feeling good about it, I like writing a short recap of the photo I took and of the day.
Even if sometimes I almost forget of taking a picture or think it's a horrible photo I took (it's the only one of the day) and am wuite ashamed of posting it (like the one under, terrible light).
But it's a way of remembering what I've done during the year, not a photography competition, right?
So, let's see the pics of this week:

22/365 30122010
Run away from parents' houses and have a cheap dinner on our own? Quite impossible, but we did it. We bought a prepacked salad, some bread, a martini to spoil ourselves and had dinner in the car! haha, it was much fun and we had the chance to talk a bit without having always people around judging and saying what we should do.

23/365 31122010
On New Year Eve Roberto wore a tie , wow! Haha, apart form this we had more fun than we'd have thought. We wanted just to go out for dinner, to see firework and walk around the city with no destination for a few hours and then go back home. We basically did that, but we missed midnight and instead of being in the first row for the firework, we were in the middle of the crowd. Than Roberto met someone very important to him, he was so happy. And then we danced for some hours.
It was funny because usually I have dancing and hate when people stare at me (or I think people is staring), but I felt that I had the right to celebrate this new year, because maybe it'll bring me nice surprises =)

24/365 01012011
Happy New Year!
This is just a little something I am painting for my blog. It's a foggy day and today I just read, listened to music, read blogs, and not much more. A typical 1st January.

25/365 02012011
Roberto and I went for a walk and while walking to the car we met this cutie. He was in the middle of an enormous (for him) parking and I think he was trying to see something except from asphalt.

26/365 03012011
We just stayed home reading, then went to buy some tofu for the veggie-eater here. Last days at home with my father's Christmas decorations. In Italy it's a tradition to leave the decorations until the 6th of January.

27/365 04012011
Cereal yogurt with walnuts. So yummy, especially if eaten with my favorite spoon. =)

28/365 05012011
Roberto woke up with a terrible cold. He didn't feel well at all, so I made coffee, brought him cookies, mandarines, apples.. We stayed home and at the evening I watched Inception with my family.

This was last week.
We're having such a bad weather now, it's pouring! I can hardly get any sleep since a few days, therefore I'm not feeling 100%.
The Christmas decoration are being put apart until next year and exams are approaching inexorably.

Have a nice weekend!

Juliette

Organizers, Planners and Calendars - Paperblanks

2011-01-05T18:05:00.006+01:00

When I first saw these planners I fell in love immediately. They're so different than the normal ones which normally are:
a) monocromatic (normally black, pink or light blue)
b) with cartoons, paintings or for children
c) with lots of Jesuses and Marias all over them (especially here in Italy, and I am not really what one call believer).

These paperblanks are so different. Colorful, romantic, shiny, compact..
And I am happy this year I got one for my birthday!It looks a bit like a holy book or something, but I love it. Every day has its own page and it's so useful.
Anyway, there are many other planners and journals.

Juliette

Fougasse provencale

2011-01-03T21:22:00.005+01:00

You probably know I live in Italy.
But I also live at a 50 minutes ride from France.
In fact, when I take the plane to go to Holland I normally leave from Nice.

This summer on our roadtrip toward Europe, Roberto and visited several towns in France, all small villages and we even went back to the place I used to go when I was a kid and where my grandpa lived.

We had the chance to see the "palais idéal" by Ferdinand Cheval, a wonderful place, really.
We went to a little shop where all the scents from the Provence where reunited and presented us with much lavender, savon de Marseille and bread.

Bread is my passion. Then, this December my parents gave me Leila Lindholm's Cookbook for my birthday. In that book I found a recipe for Fougasse provecale.
I know Focaccia is something typical of the region I live in, Liguria. But I decided to give it a try.
Focaccia is a typical kind of bread that resembles pizza without tomatoe.
IT can be more cruncy of softer.

I think I used too much yeast because mine where like bread with olives, sald and spices. But I really can't forget that taste. I just love bread, I think I should find the time do write an ode o bread one day, haha.

I am going to read forthe exams. They are stressing me out, actually. I really am loosing all the passion for study, but fortunately it's "almost" over.
Have a nice day!

Juliette

2011

2011-01-01T19:36:00.005+01:00

Happy New Year to you all!
I hope it will be the year in which your dreams come true,
you think positive,
smile,
enjoy,
love,
and finish saying "2011 was a good one".

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-31T11:18:00.015+01:00

2010.

January:

Exams and not much more. I really started baking a lot, I think I found real passion in it.

February:

A fantastic trip to Berlin with my friends. My nephew was born and I love him.

March:

Roberto moved and went living on his own. The house ended p being a mess: cold, slimy and smelly. After just 3 months he was back living with his parents. He was extremely right, that wasn't a place where one could live, but it was a disappointment for both of us.

April:

We celebrated Easter, baked muffins and made my first meringues. (Actually, I don't remember much of April -.-)

May:

I started working in the Hotel. My first real job ever.

June:

Lots of exams, a lot to do at work and alitle bit of time for ourselves.

July:

Lots of rides on our bikes on the wonderful bycisle path along the seaside. We visited a small town where R's father comes from several times and decided that that would be a perfect place to live, if we decided that we'll stay in Italy. (I don't think we'll stay actually ^^).

August:

Wasn't the best month. I felt tired and really wanted to have a break. I was working and studying and I also had to go to work which was far away from here, every day. Fortunately September was approaching..
Roberto and I celebrated our 3 years together!

September:

Roberto and I left for a not-so-much organised trip around Europe. It was the best experience ever. If I loved traveling before, now I love it even more. If I loved Holland before, now I feel it's my place.
I had more exams, but passed them with good marks.

October:

I started studying and loving bread more and more. Got quite addicted to it. I love knowing every variety of bread exists in the whole world. I love trying out new recipes, different kinds of flour, yeast and combination of ingredients. But most of all I love smelling the bread when it's baking in the oven, I love the sound of a crispy crust and the softness of the crumbs. (Ok, this was an Ode to Bread ^^)
We celebrated my mum's birthday, we had so much fun, a lot of people came to celebrate with us.

November:

I had a difficult time because of the distance between Roberto and I. I always have some difficulties seeing each other only once a week. We want to do so many funny things together that we're overwhelmed by thing we've to do and want to do.
We went for long walks in the park, met a new friend (the squirrel!) and I studied lots and lots for a very hard exam. And I passed the exam.
Miele, my cat, didn't come back home. I am not over it, I still can't believe it and am still watching around if I see her everytime I walk out of the door. I follow cats in the woods if I think they look like her and simply cannot believe I won't see her pretty face ever again.
I went to a concert of Lady Gaga, I wouldn't have ever thought it'd be such a great show.

December:

Roberto and I celebrated Sinterklaas toghether for the fisrt time, it was fun.
My birthday was better than that of a year ago. My parents were around and stayed home without doing anything special. I baked of course. A lot.
My brother came back from Holland I had the chance to see him and my nephew again. Christmas was with my parents and my brother's family.
New year's Eve will be just Roberto and me eating a pizza, enjoying firework and wishing 2011 will be the year when we'll finally have the cahnce to start our lives together, travel a lot and maybe move to Holland. Oh, and graduate. Keep your fingers crossed.

I always think I never do enough to enjoy my live, I feel as if I were a couchpatato, just hanging around and doing nothing every day. But when I have the chance, like now, of writing down what I've done and experience in this year I am quite satisfied. 2010 has been a stupid year, but I also had so many nice things happening around me.

I think the review of next year will be more accurate, thanks to the 365 project, if I'll finish it.
I wish you a wonderful start of this new year.

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 3

2010-12-30T11:10:00.014+01:00

Yesterday I was so tired and I don't even know why. I woke up tired and grumpy and went to bed tired. Today I am going to do yoga, hopefully that will help. Anyway, I woke up more relaxed today fortunately, and the sun shines like crazy.

These are the photos of the third week of my Project 365.
The week of family gatherings, Christmas, eating, baking, going for walks and being home.

15/365 23122010

The magic of being home. This morning I left an empty, bare house at 7am, at 2 pm I opened the front door of my parents' house. I knew they'd have decorated the whole house like usual. This year they did so many creative things. Three gigantic wreaths hang in each of the rooms, each with another color scheme. Two jars and one glass (the one above) are filled with the most colorful (but relaxing, not too shiny) lights. I said I didn't feel the Christmas atmosphere, but wait until I will be baking tomorrow, in this wonderful house, with my parents hangign around, my cat seeping on the couch, my brother and my nephew who'll come for a visit and Roberto of course. Then everything will be perfect.
Have a nice Christmas!!

16/365 24122010

I saw my nephew again today, for the first time since almost three months. He obviously has grown so much, he's adorable. This is my mum playing with the christmas decorations with him.

17/365 25122010

Merry Christmas.
I hope everyone had the most wonrdeful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I stayed at home, ate a wonderful breakfast with my family, baked, read and so on. I made this Chritmas decoration at the kindergarten. I was about 3 or 4. I remember making it, I was so proud of it. Now it hangs on the wall every year and still I am not sick of it.

18/365 26122010

Today Roberto and I baked a cake from Leila Lindholm's cookbook. That book is perfect. We had a wonderful family dinner all together. We hd really so much fun and I loved spending this time with them. In this picture you can see my dad, me, Roberto, Mattia (my nephew), Lara and Casper (his parents and my brother). My mum is taking the picture. I am thankful for moments like this.

19/365 27122010

Roberto and I had a breakfast date: a latte macchiato at the seaside, wonderful. The rest of the day was filled with reading.

20/365 28122010

This was my elementary school. I went back there today with my mum, because in my old class now there's a course of yoga. The room that once looked enormous are now so little. Everything is different and seeing everything again brought back many memories. In the whole school there were 17 students, that's the reason why, when I was 9 the school closed. There were only two rooms that contained 2/3 classes each. In each class there were between 1 and 5 students. I was in a big one! 4 kids.
I had the most wonderful time there, and when we had to go to a whole new school all of a sudden I felt baffled. I landed in a 13 kids class with so many teachers and so much people.
We went to yoga and then gave my first lesson on Italian Conversation.
I didn't do much for the reast of the day.
This evening Roberto and I are going out for a drink.

21/365 29122010

We didn't do much. Read a lot, went for a walk into the fog, read even more.

Wow, in two days a whole new year will start. We had no plans at first, then we had a big plan and now we're just planning on going for a pizza and then just walk hand in hand to meet 2011.
I hope it will be a better year, this year, as I already said, has been wuite disastrous, and I don't want to go through another year like this. Seriously, we need some peace now.
Roberto and I have been taling about this a lot lately, and we're really trying to get everything on its place, but no matter how hard we try there's always something (usually lots of things) going wrong.
But we keep doing our best.

Juliette

Apple and Almond Paste Cake

2010-12-28T14:03:00.013+01:00

Hello people,

I am sorry for the short Christmas break, even my mum asked me why I didn't blog these days. I was here, but had many things swirling in my head and to do.
But I'm back with a recipe, I baked so much these days!

Where did I find the recipe for this soft, fruity cake?
I opened my favorite cookbook! Leila Lindholm's "A Piece of Cake".
I found a recipe for Apple and Almond paste Rings.
I haven't got any ring mould, but that's ok, no ring for us, just a normal yummy cake.

Ingredients.
(Adapted from Leila Lindholm's "A Piece of Cake")

Yields: 2 cakes (I used one half of the recipe)

For the dough:

1 tbsp black cardamom seeds, crushed (I used fennel)
300 ml milk
50 g fresh yeast
120 g sugar
1/2 tsp salt
150 g butter, softened
1 egg
660-720 g all-purpose flour

For the filling:

200 g butter, softened
80 g brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
200 g almond paste (see recipe for this below).
2 apples

For the topping:

1 egg
flaked almonds

How can I make almond paste? You'd never thik I'd be so easy!!
(for 500g)
250 g almonds
225 g sugar

Boil the almonds for 5 minutes.
Blend the almonds until they're reduced to powder.
Add the sugar and mix for 5-7 minutes until a thick paste is formed.

Directions.

Crumble the yeast in the lukewarm milk. Add the crushed cardamom (I used fennel) , sugar, salt, butter and egg.
Slowly add the flour and mix until a soft dough is formed.
Cover with a dishcloth and allow to rise for 45-60 minutes until it has doubled.
(This is the dough for the classic swedish sweet bread (yummy!) )

In another bowl mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and almond paste until it's creamy.
Divide the dough in two parts. Flatten one part with a rolling pin to form a disk that can easily cover the baking pan.
Butter tha baking pan and lay the dough disk in it.
Fill with the filling.
Rasp the apples and spred one apple in each baking pan.
Roll out the other dough disk (like the other one) and lay it on the cake.
Fold the dough endings.
Allow to rise for one hour.
Preheat the oven at 175°C (350 F).
Spread the whisked egg on the cake and add the flaked almonds (I forgot).
Bake for 20 minutes.
Allow to cook before pulling the cake out of the baking pan.

I can assure you it's a success. Especially with the cute Christmas tree Roberto cut out of the remaining dough.

Have a nice evening you all,
what did you bake for Christmas?

Juliette

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T18:11:00.003+01:00

Hello,
I hope you are all enjoying time will your families,
surrounded by a cosy Christmas atmosphere.
I'll write when I'll have spent enough time with my family ^^
My brother and my nephew are here and I haven't seen them in such a long time.
Have some nice days!

Thursday - Loves Christmas

2010-12-23T17:18:00.007+01:00

Hello!
I am home for the holidays, yay! I am so happy. Tomorrow I'll see my brother and my little nephew after a loong time, and this evening Roberto will come here and I am planning to bake tomorrow, and just stay cosy and enjoy this time at home.
Hope you're all doing the same!

These are a few things I loves lately.

Hot Chocolate on a Stick. Find out how to make it here

Harry Potter

Cute Braids. I'd love to know hoe to make this.

I love ice cream (even when it's cold outside) , and even more if it's in this lovely small cup.

These pretty prints.

(for the source click on the image)

Have a nice Christmass weekend you all,
maybe I'll be posting some nice recipes soon!

Juliette

Project 365 - Week 2

2010-12-22T19:36:00.010+01:00

Today I went to the last classes, hugged my friends, watched "A Nightmare before Christmas" in class. It was a nice day, except for the rain that is still winning against snow which really won't arrive.
Here you have my week in pictures.

8/365 16122010

Today I woke up, had a class, went back home for one hour, went for a coffee with two friends, and..spent an hour in the photocopy shop because our teacher left some photocopies at the library for us to copy. Each of us had to go, take the photocpies, go outside, make our own copy and bring the photocopies back. Turns out he forgot to copy the last page! So we had to go back and do it all over again today (+ another 100 copies of other notes and stuff). Thanks amazing someone who invented the photocopier!

9/365 17122010

Everytime I go to the supermarket to buy my daily amount of food (I love doin the grocery shopping, therefore I go once every two days insted of once in a week how normal people do), I bring this reusable bag with me. I have been aware of pollution, separate collection of rubbish, reuse things and so on. I always try to use as less plastic possible and I remember my mother telling me that a little bag with sweets contains so much plastic, because every sweet is wrapped in plastic. I can recall it as if it were yesterday and since then, or arounf that time (I think I were 8) I have been aware that doing small things can help just a little, but a very important little.
Whenever I forget to bring this reusable bag with me I ask a plastic bag, but then I use it for the garbage.
I could make a prettier bag one day, this is a plain, sad reusable bag, but I'm proud of it.

10/365 18122010

Today was a wonderful day.
I woke up because my mother texted me they were coming to visit me. They haven0t been here since July 2009 and I was so happy. I cleaned the house in an hour, and they were here around 11am. We went to the Ikea, which is sooo near!, we enjoyed this time together like we maybe haven't ever done before. No complaining, no judging or being upset. Just smiles and happiness. I bought a cakeholder and some spices containers. Then we went to a pretty Christmas market, with many pretty things, like these cute garlands, but it was extremely cold! Now we're realxing a bit. Later we'll go to the Chinese restaurant and watching the pretty coloured lights which decorate the city during the holiday season. I am so grateful for this day.

11/365 19122010

This morning I woke up hearing the voices of my parents in the other room. So strage, it has been a long while since they came to visit me. They drunk coffee and left to go back home. Roberto was still sleeping, so I made a cup of coffee for him too. We woke up slowly, talked for an hour or two, showered, looked outside with a scry face because of the cold and then got ready and challenged the weather. We were looking for some bread (we both love bread) but there were not many shops open, being 1 pm. We found ou usual market after a long walk through the city and bought half a loaf of kamut bread and a bit of cheese. We went home and turned the oven on. Sliced the bread and the cheese, and this is the result. Warm, crispy bread with molten cheese and such a delicious smell. He then went back home as well and I finished revising for my English literature exam of tomorrow. Wish me luck!

12/365 20122010

Today I woke up late because I had an exam at 2 pm. Usually they're in the morning but this time I had the chance to wake up slow, not being overwhelmed by anxiety and getting ready at my pace. I revised everything and then met a friend to go to Uni. Three hours writing a composition about "A Passage to India" by E.M. Forster. When I finished and went outside it was getting dark already and the day was nearing its end. I never study the day I have done an exam in order to realx a bit and get ready for the next one.

13/365 21122010

These are the headphones I was given by my parents for my birthday. I am superhappy with them, the acoustic is fantastic, I can isolate myself completely if I want and the bass is awesome. They have customizeable earthings (I don't know how to call them) and I thought it'd be nice to wish a merry christmas to everyone. I secretly hope someone sees it and I can make someone smile.

14/365 22122010

Professional photo, right? Well, I have not a nice lightning here and I was packing to go back home tomorrow. I thought that resumed what I've been doing today: last classes, goodbyes to all my friends and classmates, giving the cookies I baked yeasterday to my two best friends, and..packing. That's it. Tomorrow I'm going back home for two weeks, I'm so happy, and my big brother will be there too =)

Have a nice evening.

Juliette

Looking for Christmas

2010-12-21T10:51:00.006+01:00

Hullo!

Yesterday I had the exam, all went well, at least I think so. Now I still have two days filled with classes, cold and shopping for books I have to read for the next exams. I feel pretty lonely right now, because everyone out there is feeling Christmas getting nearer and I can't share these moments, so I just stare out the window and wait for thursday, when I'll be home, at my parents', again (and I cannot complain, I already had Sinterklaas a few weeks ago).

The weekend, however, was lovely. My parents came here and Roberto came as well a bit later, but I am so happy we saw eachother.
My parents and I went to Ikea, to a small, cute Christmas market and then with Roberto at the Chinese restaurant. Then we went for a walk in the city which is filled with woderful lights at Christmas (there are many awful lights too actually).
So here are a few photos of the weekend; tomorrow the second week of the 365 project.

2010-12-19T18:19:00.005+01:00

[source]

Tomorrow at 2pm I have an English Literature Exam. This is the main reason I hadn't got any time to write, get inspired, craft amd take pictures (well I did that actually). And my parents came to visit me for the weekend so I was busy going to Ikea and to Christmas markets with them. I had a tough week and a lovely weekend and now just another few of busy hours trying to revise everything over and over.

I will resume normal posting on Tuesday, but I'm still posting the project 365 photos on my flickr page. See you Tuesday, have a nice two days!!

Juliette

2010-12-16T22:09:00.002+01:00

Ok, the temperature is perfect.
Now I only need the house, the lights, those windows, the fireplace (because I know there's one in there), the wreath on the door, the trees, the balcony, 6 ore 7 more rooms and..the snow.
Oh and someone I love to spend my evening with.

*source*

Juliette

365 Project - Week 1

2010-12-15T19:50:00.010+01:00

I have been 21 years old for the last 7 days and not much has changed, but I like this idea of the 365 project. Here you have the first photos.

1/365 9122010
Apple cake. I baked my own cake for my birthday. Not because I am alone, not because nobody wants to bake a cake for me, not because they don't want to buy one of the fantastic cakes we buy for some birthdays. Just because the thing I love doing the most is baking. Seeing the cake shining like gold in the oven, smelling the scent of a rustic cake is fantastic. But the thing I love even more is seeing people eating with pleasure. Not getting compliments, just seeing them eat and enjoy their piece of cake.

2/365 10122010
A sunny day, incredible for this time of the year. At the TV I hear that it should be snowing, people from all over the world are complaining about the cold and I am sitting in the sun reading a book. I love the valley I live in and living far from the civilised world gives me the possibility to learn from nature so many things. Sitting outside, hearing the birds and the bells every now and then who remind me how late it is and just waiting until the sun sets and it's time to go inside the home, at the warmth of the stove.

3/365 11122010
The only picture I took today. My dad and I went to the mall to the mall to buy new dishes. I am so happy. I love having a set of dishes with nothing missing.

4/365 12122010
Description later haha, now I'm going to eat them!
(..)
For my birthday I wanted to make Ravioli, my favorite dish. I haven't eaten them for months. Roberto and I had only yhe chance to make them today, so we asked his grandma for the recipe and ..voilà.
I just finished eating them, and they are still my favorite food.

5/365 13122010
Today was a total disaster, spent on the train for 6 hours and waiting for a train for 2 hours. I won't write the whole story again, but I got home at 6 pm exhausted. And I still had to do the gocery and meet a friend for some notes he needed.
A not creative, not culinary, not happy day.
Fortunately I won't get on a train for more than one week.

6/365 14122010
This is the peak of today: laundry. Exciting day was mine, right? I only went to a class in the morning, then studied, washed the dishes, did the laundry, studied and studied, drunk coffee and went to another class (6-8pm, crazy!). Tomorrow will be pretty much the same, and it's getting really really cold outside, but no snow to be seen.

7/365 15122010
Today was colder than normal, I wrapped myself in thisenormous cosy scarft that Sinterklaas (aka Roberto) gave me. I was going outside fighting the cold to go to the afternoon classes (2-6 pm). Next week I'll have an exam and I haven't found the time to study yet. Maybe I should stay less on Internet, but I am getting better at it (not too many hours on Google Reader ^^)

Next week other 7 new photos.
Have a great evening, I'm going to study.

Juliette

When I am studying..

2010-12-14T20:49:00.004+01:00

*Random thoughts*

Or better
When I should be studying a lot happens:
(Is moisturize even a word, or is it used only for hair? Anyways I meant "to hydrate")

Tomorrow my first 365 project weekly post!
Have a nice evening,
I hope it's warmer wherever you are than here.

Juliette

Out of Control

2010-12-13T18:54:00.002+01:00

It happens.
When you wake up and wait for something to happen.
You start the day, feel that there's something that might go wrong and...there it goes.
The whole day is just a landslide, all the stone on you head and you don't understand what's happening and why. You just have to wait until it's over and than maybe think positively, maybe you've learned something from that day.

Today I had to go to Turin. I arrived at the station (a very sall one, where you see 4-5 people if it's a busy day) and heard people complaining. A train had been cancelled (happens wuite often lately), but for one time it wasn't my train. I wait for the train which arrives punctually, I have to change trains two times. I get off the train and.. the train has been cancelled.

I go to get information (I would never have done this a few years back, but now I'm kind of used to it), the woman at the info desk watch me come nearer, watches me in the eyes and starts yelling at me (I didn't even speak, she didn't even know where I wanted to go, who I was, etc).
The train to Sv is on platform 4!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to know if I had to change ticket (because there are two routes to go to Turin and the second one is more expensive) and she yelled at me "Of course not", as if I were an idiot.
Long story short: The train wasn't on platform 4, but on platform 6. Fortunately it was announced while it was starting its motors and I run and managed to take it.

At 4 Pm, 7 hours later I arrived home.

I missed 3 classes, but I cannot do anything about it.
I can get angry and nervous, but it doesn't help.
Therefore I just put on my new )^^) headphones and listen to appropriate music.

Juliette

Sunday - Breakfast - Raisin, Hazelnuts, Mixed dried Fruit Bread

2010-12-12T19:39:00.004+01:00

This was our breakfast today, or we called it "Colanzo" (a sort of Brunch "translated in Italian, between "colazione" and "pranzo").
Yesterday I wanted to bake something out of my new cookbook, but I hadn't got so many of the ingredients of the loaf of bread I had chosen. But I had a lot of other similar ingredients instead. So I just replaced all of the ingredients of the original recipe (expect for hazelnuts) with the alternative ones and here's my loaf of bread. Yummy!
Fresh yeast insted of baking powder, milk instead of buttermilk, mixed dried fruit and raisins instead of dried apricots, "00" and whole wheat flour combined instead of rye flour, and I could go on and on =)

Along with the bread we drank coffee and ate a mandarin.
Ready for a new day!

I hope yo all had a great weekend.

Juliette

That nice day

2010-12-10T22:35:00.005+01:00

Thursday I had the best, simplest, funniest Birthday. I am always afraid of my birthday because I feel as if I have to enjoy the day and absolutely cannot be sad or stressed. As if I had to wear a fake smile or something, and I never do that (ok, maybe sometimes, but not with my family). But fortunately it was a wonderful day, the sun shined and my parents woke me up brining me presents very early as they usually do (I adore this tradition). They sung and I felt loved.

Unwrapping the gifts was surprinzing, because I didn't know what they would give me, while the other years I usually had a premonition. Well, the best, thoughtful gifts, really.

I just want to thank you all the lovely people who wrote me, texted me and called me. Ready for another year!

(I think my parents read my wish list paying much attention =)

Juliette

Torta di Mele - Apple Cake

2010-12-10T13:47:00.008+01:00

If there's one thing I understood reading something like 50 food blogs is that an Apple Cake is different than an Apple Pie. Unfortunately in Italian there's only one way of saying it, so they usually call the Apple Pie with its English name, explaining what it is afterwards.

Apple Cake

700 gr (25 oz) Apples (the most juicy onec, I used rennet, but I would recommend Granny Smith too)
200 gr (7 oz) self-rising Flour
200 gr (7 0z) granulated sugar
100 gr (3,5 oz) Butter melted, unsalted
200 ml (1/2 cup) Milk
2 Eggs
1 Lemon (zest and juice)
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla Extract
a pinch of Salt

In a large bowl combine eggs, sugar and melted butter.
Add the lemon zest, cinnamon, milk, vanilla extract, salt, and at last slowly add the self-rising flour.
Wash and peel the apples, cut in thin slices.
Add the juice of the lemon to the apples.
Butter and flour a 25 cm baking pan.
Preheat the oven at 180 C (350 F)
Pour the mixture in the baking pan and then insert the apple slices (I placed them vertically, radially, is that a word?)
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Bake for 50/60 minutes and allow to cool before taking out of the baking pan.
Serve with cream.

Juliette

I love 9 December.

2010-12-09T14:58:00.003+01:00

Yes, pretty obvious I love it, it's my birthday! I turn 21 today and I am having the best day. Just staying home, unwrapping wonderful gifts and baking (my parents gave me the cookbook I have been longing for months!) (I am a spoiled kid on my birthday, they always give me so many things!)

Today I am starting my 365 project, but I don't want to upload one photo a day on this blog. It would be too boring especially for you. I think I'll pick one day a week and on that day upload the photos of the week. So a sort of 52 weeks/365 day project. I'll upload the same pictures on flickr.

Well, the dough of a delicious Fougasse provenzale, found in the above mentioned cookbook is waiting for me. I am so happy.

21 before 22

2010-12-08T19:54:00.004+01:00

Tomorrow I'll be 21.
This last year has been the worse year of my life, I don't want to talk much about it, I just want to use this fact to start this new year as positively as possible.
Next year will be a year of big changes. I'll probably graduate, I'll have to decide whether to continue my studies or not, what I want in my life (at least partially), where I want to live, and so many other things.
I don't want to bother you, but I just want to make the best of this year. That's all.
Here a list of 21 things I want to achieve (some partially too) in this year, some are superficial and other are very important to me. I'll keep you updated!

22. Learn to write correctly in English. -> Break not "Brake"

Juliette

Market

2010-12-07T19:26:00.007+01:00

Every now and then there's a small lovely market on one of the main squares of Turin. You can find all sorts of local and handmade products there. There are some clothing stands and lots of cheese, bread, rice and vegetables stands. I love to see the passion of those people.

Juliette

Last Sinterklaas post - promise.

2010-12-06T19:04:00.008+01:00

Here some peeks of our Sinterklaas evening. Now I have to say goodbye to Sinterklaas and welcome Christmas. With a short break to celebrate my birthday.

Sunday - Breakfast - Sinterklaas Edition

2010-12-05T17:40:00.006+01:00

Yesterday Roberto and I celebrated Sinterklaas, which is to be celebrated this evening actually, but since we won't be together this evening and he will be 200 km away, we did it yesterday.
We had lots of fun in the afternoon baking Pepernoten and Taai taai. Those are two Sinterklaas treats. Since we live in Italy and it would be a miracle to find them in the store, we baked them.
It was an adventure because, they had to be like I have always had them, since I was a child. I am an expert ^^.
We spent wonderful moments together (I will post some photos in another post) and had much fun.

This morning we woke up hearing my neighbours quarelling as every day (it's getting annoying after two years), but we had a smile on our faces. There were some Pepernoten left so we ate some of them. I made fruit tea and a banana shake. Yesterday morning Roberto had surprised me with chocolate because it is a tradition having a chocolate letter (the initial of your name) for Sinterklaas, and I was a bit sad, because I love traditions, and I want to hold them tight. Obviously we hadn't got a chocolate letter, so he bought some chocolate for me. And he ate the last bit this morning =).

If you want to try this traditional Dutch recipe here you have the recipe of Pepernoten. If you like Gingerbread and spicy cookies I warmly suggest you to try them out. They're so yummy!

Pepernoten.

250 g (8,8 oz) flour
125 g (4,4 oz) brown sugar
100 g (3,5 oz) unsalted butter, softened
2 TBS Speculaas spices (*see ingredients below)
3 TBS milk
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
salt

Preheat the oven at 150 °C (300 F).
Mix all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, salt)
Add softened butter (I used molted butter) and milk.
Knead until a soft ball is formed (it's quite a thick dough)
Form small balls and place them on parchment paper, press a little.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Allow to cool afterwards (unlike other cookies they're much better if tasted cold).
Oh, and try them with a glass of cold milk! =)

Speculaas spices
I went to a herbalist's shop for these, with my father. I suggest you to do the same because it's cheaper, it's better and you will remember the nice smell of the shop.

30 g (1,05 oz) cinnamon
10 g (0,35 oz) cloves
10 g (o,35 oz) nutmeg
5 g (0,17 oz) white pepper
5 g (o,17 oz) aniseed
5 g (0,17oz) coriander seeds

Mix all the spices together in a jar and close. You cak keep these spices for a long while.

I can tell we had the best weekend. It was so cold outside but we managed to do so many nice things.
In 4 days I'll be 21, I am thinking of making a "21 before 22 list" and I am pondering if starting a 365 project this year (tha last one is almost sure)

Thursday - Loves

2010-12-02T19:48:00.009+01:00

Brrr it's getting cold outside. I am an active person, I like to walk, take the bus and the tram as little as possible, I like to go for a ride on the bike. But when it gets cold like this I am so happy when I close the door behind me, coming back from University.
Today I hadn't a special day, it was just a normal one, I am getting ready the last things for Sinterklaas.

Here are the things I loved this week.

[Things that make you feel that Christmas is getting nearer] (I haven't got the stress of the gifts, so I can enjoy Christmas even more)

(source)

[Warm, organised shelves]

(source)

[Romantic settings]

(source)

[Holland]

(source)

[Christmas treats]

(source)

(source)

[Real Mail]

(source)

Tomorrow I'll see Roberto, and I am so happy. We are going to celebrate Sinterklaas on Saturday and I feel like a little girl. I am so happy!!

Juliette

Sinterklaas is coming to town

2010-12-01T20:11:00.008+01:00

Hello! December is here, Welcome!!

As I told you last week, this year I am going to celebrate Sinterklaas with Roberto for the first time. It has been a family tradition since I was born, and it will continue being it.
Although I have much to read and study I find the time to write the poems that will go with the presents, organize the treasure hunts and get every other thing done (making puzzles that R will have to do before opening his gift, looking for recipes of the traditional sweets, and so on).
I am so happy and I am feeling the day coming nearer almost as if I were a child.

This is the reason I didn't write yesterday. There was also another reason, a more important one. I attended a demonstration against the University Bill that parliament had to debate yesterday. It's a complete mess and Italian University is nearing its end. But I don't want to talk too much about this in my blog. You all live in other countries and this is a blog about my free time, my passions, so I won't bother you too much.

Here are a few photos of these days. Wrapping, writing, making bows..

Stopmotion Cook Video

2010-11-29T20:16:00.001+01:00

Goodevening!

Today has been a long one because I had to come to The City by train this morning instead of yeasterday because all trains had been cancelled yesterday. When I arrived I had to run to an English class, where I was called "Muffin Maker" by the teacher because I did know how to say "yeast". It was funny, actually.
Then I headed to a meeting where we students had to decide what to do against the senseless education law that is going to pass and that won't allow many people to study and graduate in the future. I won't write much about it because this has to be a happy place, but this is just an incredibly idiotic plan.
I came home, had to arange many things, have a shower. Standard things.

I leave you with this cute video for today.

Juliette

Sunday - Breakfast - Coffee, Muesli and Mandarines

2010-11-28T19:51:00.007+01:00

Hello!
This was our fantastic breakfast this morning. No baking involved, but Nutella and biological bread for Roberto, muesli for me, Cinnamon coffee and mandarines. Smells like winter!

I should be in the city now, but all the trains were cancelled, so I am still home. Tomorrow morning I'll have to try again, have 4 hours of classes and then it will already be evening, so I don't know if I'll have time to write anything.

Have a nice Monday!

Juliette

First Snow

2010-11-27T16:45:00.007+01:00

(That's the village I live, notice the sea in the background ^^)

Today started with a nice breakfast with Roberto. Then I was checking e-mails and reading some blogs when I saw that on Twitter the half world had snow: the US, Holland, Germany, Budapest and England.
I was a bit perplexed. I live in a place where it always snows before all other places, I live near the Appennines. Nevertheless, there was a lovely sunny shining through the trees.
We decided to go for a hike on the mountains at the end of the valley (Roberto and I are always so active at weekends, if you don't go for a walk, on the bike or do some sport we can get kind of depressed ^^).

Time to get with the car to the place from where we would star walking (5 minutes away from my house) and the sky was already grey and announcing snow. When we begun walking it was snowing!! I was happy and it was so nice, even if we were freezing.(freezing)

Then it stopped and when we came home from the walk it begun snowing again, seriously this time. We had a cup of hot cinnamon coffee and now we are having a nice afternoon at home: cooking soup for dinner, finishing the Christmas cards, reading, and so on.

I hope you have had a cosy - snowy day too!

Juliette

Something in the mail.

2010-11-26T17:44:00.007+01:00

Yesterday I came home, at my parents' after three weeks, and there was something waiting for me in the mail. Actually, my mother brought the little package with her when she came picking me up at the station.
The lovely Katja sent me this beautiful handmade hat. I immediately wore it yesterday and today.
Thank you so much Katja =)

I also got some useful crafty thing from my aunt, who lives in Denmark and decided to surprise us with some nice things for Sinterklaas and Christmas.

Today I spent a fantastic morning with my father. I had so much fun, really, buying gifts for Sinterklaas for Roberto and just looking around.
Then I came home and decided to start making Christmas postcard. That was at 1 pm, now it's 18 pm and I am still painting, I love it.

In a few hours Roberto will come and we will enjoy an evening all together watching a movie maybe.
Have a nice weekend!

Juliette

Thursday - Loves

2010-11-25T19:56:00.008+01:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans!

Today I had a three hours class and a long trip of five hours in the train to get to my parent's after three weeks in Turin. Therefore I have not much to tell you.

Today I love..

Pretty shops with wonderful colors.

I would love to get a letter like this in the mail with my name on it.

Gingerbread houses, I am totally trying to make one this year.

These words. Totally agree.

Pretty small bags for meaningful gifts.

These things definitely make me smile.
I hope you're having a nice day.

Juliette

100th post!!

2010-11-24T13:07:00.003+01:00

Mesdames et messieurs,
Signore e signori,
Ladies and gentlemen,

This is my 100th post!

I have been having different feelings towards this blog. First I loved it, then I hated it, I abandoned it and now it's a sort of notebook I write on everyday. I love when people comment and it's not just a place only I (and my mother) visit every now and then.
I hope that when I'll write my 200th post I will have met more people thanks to it. I love being involved in a crafty-baking world, it allows me to dream and not to abandon the things I love to do besides studying.

I don't know, I haven't anything particular ready, I just realized it's my 100th post.
So, thank you for reading, thank you for commenting if you do and if you don't, please, I love to hear from you!

I having been creating much lately, but I can blame only University, not my love of crafting. I adore it and have many ideas actually.

[4 Stories] - Old Photos

2010-11-23T20:18:00.002+01:00

One. See my family when they were young.
This is not really a story, but I love seeing old photos of my family because I can get to "know" them a littl bit better, seeing how they were when they were my age, for example. I can also see what we have got in common and the many differences. It's a bit like a time machine.

Two. Little Red Riding Hood
I have a photo I see every now and then when showing old photos to friends or family of me, the 3 years old me, holding a book with a drawing of Little Red Riding Hood. I had a red woolen jumper and it was as if they had drawn me in that image. The fact is that I exatly remember what I was thinking at that exact moment, and which toys I had around me and so on. Maybe it's one of my first memories which is recalled everytime I see that photograph.

Three. At grandma's .
I see my grandma once every two years, because I live in Italy and she lives in Holland. She loves her family so much. She has 5 children and 10 grandchildren so she has to remember everything about them all! She has many many photographs around her house, of my mum and her siblings when they were young, but also of my cousins and of all their families. I always enjoy looking at them and see how we all have changed during the years.

Four. The history class.
I didn't like history classes, but once the teacher showed us a photograph of a bourgeois family of the 18th century. We compared family portraits of that time with those of this period. Obviously they couldn't take many photographs and they had to hire a photographer and so on (that's not long ago actually, when we had no digital camera). But they studied the composition and their faces and expressions and disposition very attentively. It was of great importance, they had to convey the importance of the man, the respect of the children and so on.
Nowadays we just throw ourself in front of the camera and take as many photos as possible, choosing later which one we liked the most. I actually like how it all works now, even if I like also the fact thet photography was seen as a special event.

Do you want to join? Go and visit this wonderful blog to know how to join.

Juliette

Family

2010-11-22T15:57:00.002+01:00

I have learned to love art from my parents and my grandparents.
One of my grandmothers is a teacher of french, enjoys music, sings every seconds of the day and once taught me to knit (I was too little to remember how it worked, I am so sorry for that).
The other grandma has a sort of farm with many animals, loves flowers and makes fantastic (sort of) paintings with them.
My mother draws fantastic portraits, for example while she's calling someone. But she is too afraid of making a real painting of one of them (while I think it would be wonderful). She draws fairies and landscapes and is the best in using watercolours.
My father makes sculptures with all sorts of materials, even cement. He makes more colourful and maybe less feminine things (he made a frog who's in front of our door and welcomes whoever comes for a visit, for example) and decorated our house with al sorts of colours and lights. And when it comes to painting he's more abstract, less realistic, more lines and geometrical figures always with a pinch of fun.
My grandma introduced me to knitting, my other grandma to animals and nature, my mun to drawing and my father to fimo for example. So, actually, they are my main inspiration.

So here you have a few pictures of my parents' creations.

(my mum drawing, actually coping because I asked her to, a wonderful image I found on the Internet | the work finished)

(my father's mushrooms, they are glow in the dark!)

(one of the first drawings I made, a smiling face and many letters, almost all of them drawn the other way round)

(one of my father's paintings, he loves Keith Haring)

(the decorations for Christmas last year, what are we going to see this year?)

(he painted this one last weekend, they sent me a pic of it)

(my mum made this for my grandma, the one who taught me to knit, she loves nature and would love to travel forever, unfortunately she'stoo old now =( )

Yes, this was maybe a bit too sweet and personal, but I love their fantasy, their love for art and their talent.

OH, and can I add that my brother has so so so meny talents, He's a great cook but most of all he's a supertalented musician. He palys guitar as a rockstar and sings beautifully. He also plays drums and bassguitar, he plays almost everything. And I love him.
Juliette

Sunday - Breakfast - Knuffel Cookies

2010-11-21T15:58:00.007+01:00

There is one brand of cookies and bread in Italy that always shows the "ideal" family in its ads.
It's so well-known that people often say "They are like the Mulino Bianco family" describing a perfect family.
This brand produces cookies called "Abbracci" (Hugs), chocolate and vanilla cookies that Roberto and I made yesterday evening (the dough) and this morning (baked).
I called them "Knuffels" because it means sweet hugs in Dutch.

This time I had only the problem that I hadn't enough flour (how can that happen in my house, I've always flour everywhere!). So I had to let the dough rest overnights because otherwise it would have been too fluffy to use it.

We ate our Knuffels with a mandarin and a cup of milk. And this time they were even good-looking.

Cacao - Vanilla Cookies - Knuffels
Vanilla dough
250 g flour (8,8 oz)
100 g sugar (3,5 oz)
50 g softened unsalted butter (1,7 oz)
45 g margarine, softened (1,56 oz)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
a sprinkle of salt
3 Tablespoons of cream

Cacao dough
260 g flour (9,1 oz)
120 g sugar (4,2 oz)
40 g margarine, softened (1,4 oz)
60 g softened unsalted butter (2,1 oz)
30 g cacao powder (unsweetened) (1 oz)
40 ml milk (1 cup)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
a sprinkle of salt

Vanilla dough
Mix butter, margarine and sugar until a fluffy cream is formed.
Add all the other ingredients, the last will be the flour and the baking powder.

Cacao dough
Same process, different ingredients.
Mix butter, margarine and sugar until a fluffy cream is formed.
Add all the other ingredients, the last will be the flour and the baking powder.

Place parchment paper on a baking pan and pre-heat the oven at 180 °C (350 F)
Take a piece of vanilla dough and make small rolls in the form of half a doughnut (or a half-moon) and place on the sheet parchment paper.
Make ather half-moons with the cacao dough and join them to the vanilla ones (please watch the pictures, I'm not good at explaining it).
Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the vanilla dough gets golden.
Allow to cool on a rack for 10 minutes.

Here you have a nice Sunday breakfast without disasters this time =)

Have a nice day, mine certainly was.

Juliette

Friday - Week Recap

2010-11-19T18:59:00.009+01:00

Thank God it's Friday you will say. I'd reather "Thank God I finished another book".

This week it has been raining, and raining, and..raining. Today it didn't rain, and immediately went to the park, it was a lovely weather.
I have to read many many books for the next session of exams. I am attending French, English literature II and German literature II this semester, and this means: read, read , read!!

Here are some pictures from this week.

Have a nice weekend!

Juliette

Thursday - Loves

2010-11-18T16:26:00.006+01:00

Thursday is the day of the week I hate the most. I don't hate Mondays.
I don't exceptionally love Sundays, I only dread Thursdays.
I remember one year in High School I had something like two hours of latin and two hours of philosophy and one of maths or so. Every week I thought I wouldn't have survived it.
This semester I have only three hours lesson on thurday, but I don't know, I still don't like it.

This is why I though to show people nice things I find around the Internet around the week.
Everytime I will post 5-10 pictures, songs, videos just to show you (and remember myself) how many cute things there are around.

(source)

These lights create such a great atmosphere.

(source)

Turine Tran's art (I couldn't choose which picture to show you)

A wonderful kitchen

(source)

A bit of romanticism

(source)

This video is so funny! Omnomnomnom!!
Hope you like it. Have a wonderful evening (or day).

=) Smile

2010-11-17T20:17:00.006+01:00

Today was pretty much a positive day.
I am trying to see nice things in everything, it's being hard, but if I walk on the road and don't stay permanently with my face down, I have to possibility of catching the smallest wonderful things.
For example I love the woman who works at the "Pasticceria del Borgo" here in the street. She is a nice elderly woman who always wears a big smile. Today I caught her through the shop window picking a chocolate candy with the expression of a little rascal.
Her little shop is magical, the interiors are made of wood and she bakes everything with her husband.

Yesterday evening I was looking outside the window, it was raining and there were small drops on the window. You know when it's dark outside, and there's only one streetlamp shining, and the drops are illuminated by it. I love it. And I though why on earth I am worrying so much about everything. I must calm down, breathe and enjoy life. Period.

Hope you have a nice evening, I have to finish "The Power and the Glory" by G. Greene. And then I have another 8 books to read.

Juliette

Sinterklaas

2010-11-16T21:17:00.007+01:00

He comes every year, and this year he will come too. On the 5th of December he will bring us gifts, but that's not the important part. The atmophere which my family has always created, the warmth, the love, everything is just perfect on that evening. And the month passed writing poems and wrapping gifts is totally worth it.

This year unfortunately my parents decided they didn't want to celebrate it anymore. I felt horrible, because it's the one day I love, the one da that I wait for for the whole year, the one day that I feel home and loved like nothing could ever go wrong.
You know when you keep one small thing as if you were a child, because it's comforting, nice, and makes you happy.
But they don't know what to give, what to do, and.. the other families have stopped celebrating it when the children were 12.
Sorry but I don't give a damn about what other families did, didn't you teach me not to give a damn?

Roberto and I decided that this would be our first year celebrating it together. He never celebrated it before and it so difficult to explain the traditions, the feelings to someone who hasn't felt it since he was a child. Fortunately he celebrated Christmas, and the two festivities obvioulsy have someting in common.

When I think of Sinterklaas I think of songs sung at evening before going to bed to put you shoe under the with a carrot for the horse in it.
The day after find sweets instead of the carrots.
Hearing Sinterklaas walking around the house and thinking that he's hearing you sing.
Waiting for that day more and more, being full of hope.
The happiness I felt when I woke up because I was sure I would find something in my shoe.
Unwrapping the gifts not before having read the poem which "he" had written (it seemed he actually did know what I did most time of my life!haha).
Eating Spekulaas from the Netherlands and the Letter of Chocolate.

I have so many memories. I think only good ones. This was the best day in my year, and now I will have to built it anew, recreate it, with someone else. I am pretty sad about it, even if a love celebrating it with Roberto. We are not in "our" home, we haven't got the time to see eachother and decorate the house, I won't put the shoe under the fireplace. But it's going to be special. I am sure.

I am sorry if the images are small, but the first ones are my favourite from a book of my childhood. For the sources click on the image.
Juliette

Ellie Goulding - Your Song (Elthon John cover)

2010-11-15T22:24:00.000+01:00

When I saw this video on BlackEiffel I was speechless. I watched the video and listened to the song not moving, almost without breathing. I am listening to Ellie's song "Starry Eyed" a lot lately (this live version) and I love it.
I don't like covers, but this one was overwhelming. I cried. Just a little. ^^

Wish list

2010-11-15T19:14:00.010+01:00

In less than a month it will be my birthday. I didn’t have many wishes until someone asked me what I wanted. I’ve been signing on my notebook cute things when I see them in shops and now.. I’ve a long wish list ^^

I’ll show you just some photos I found on the net not to make it all too boring.

1. "A Piece of Cake" by Leila Lindholm. It's called differently here, but I saw it at the bookstore, I looked at the recipes and the photographs and all I could so was smile and long to read and look at every detail of it.

2. Go to Leiden, live the Sinterklaas and/or Christmas atmosphere and feel at home.

3. Gingerman Cookie Cutter, I had this on the list until I met the supercute cookie cutter of Ikea. It's a gingerman with a hat, or better, I see that, I think it actually is a gnome.

4. Colorful or white headphones.

5. All stars, I miss them so much.

6. A big, warm, woolen scarf

7. All sorts of paint, canvases and pencils, and other crafty things

I going to read and et ready for Sinterklaas (our Christmas) which will be on December the 5th, and I will celebrate it for the first time with Roberto, whom I have taught the essentials. I really hope I will be able to get him into the Sinterklaas mood, he has never experienced this magical day before!

Have a great day!

Juliette

Sunday - Breakfast

2010-11-14T18:17:00.007+01:00

Why Sunday breakfast?

Well, there only one day a week (or maybe two) when I really eat a proper breakfast, sitting down, enjoying the morning, getting ready for the day.. and that’s Sunday.

Every week I will try to take a picture of what has been devoured this time and maybe share some recipes.

I have a list of the sweetest things I want to bake and I know that if I don’t “have to” write a post about it, I should always find an excuse not to try them out.

And if I dream of opening a bakery, I have to bake on!

So, let’s start with..

Oat cinnamon cookies (they looked great, didn't they? Until..)

I love oats and I love cookies which are not too sugary and I adore cinnamon, so what better than these cookies. There were a semi-fail because the oven I have here is, I don't know why, I son't know how, hotter that the one I have home, at the same temperature. I rally don't understand those things. But. They "browned" a bit more on the edges and sticked together (I had to cut them). Shall we call it fail insted of semi-fail?
But they were yummy and I gave Roberto a huge box with the ones we left. So he has cookies for this week ^^.
I found the recipe here and used less sugar and no lemon zest because I didn't have. So here's my version:
Ingredients.
250 gr oats (8,8 oz)
50 gr almonds (chopped)
100 gr sugar (3,5 oz)
100 gr butter (3,5 oz), softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
8 gr baking powder

In a large bowl combine oats, almonds, sugar and softened butter.
Add the two eggs and the cinnamon and at last add baking powder.
Knead the dough with your hands until the ingredients will be well blended.
Make a lot of small dough balls (around 15 gr each, 0,5 oz) and place them on a baking tray covered with baking parchment at a huuuuge distance one from the other because I did it and they melted anyway until meeting eachother in a big mess.
Place in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 °C (360 F).

(insert saaad face here ) =(

That was not the best beginning for a new section in this blog, but I hope you'll enjoy my disadventures.
Have a great sunday!

Juliette

Dreaming of..a house.

2010-11-13T18:22:00.007+01:00

It's a bit lame that yeasterday I told you I would make a sort of schedule for my blog and now I start with a "random" post. But. There's a reason. Today it's Saturday and it's the only day I can entirely spnd with Roberto, so I don't have much time on Saturdays.
Tomorrom, however, my first schedules post will be written. Promise.

So..

I am dreaming of buying a house one day. This dream is getting bigger and bigger even if “I’m only 20 years old”. And I live in Italy. I mean. I am sure you’ve heard about the “mammoni”.

Typical Italian children go to live on their own around their 30-35 birthday, and “on their own” means with the wife who cooks for you and does the laundry.

Ok. It’s not even that true. We cannot generalize and I met many people who are not like that at all, and we have to highlight the fact that in Italy salaries are low and costs are high, so it’s getting more and more difficult for young people to go and live on their own.

But I was saying. I now live in this small apartment with my roommate. I once dreamt of going to live with her, enjoy University, stay up until late, organise parties, get drunk. That never really happened, sometimes I go out, I enjoy my University time with my friends and we laugh as crazy, but I never did the typical thing students do (except for collecting the bottles of wine we drunk on the fridge).

Roberto and I have been together for 3 years and 3 months now and we are really planning to go to live together. It’s still a faraway dream, but we both like interior design and home decoration, so we love looking for things we would buy for our “home”. This is one of the things we do most often. I also follow many blogs which deal with these themes and when we see each other I always show him the “peeks of the week”. I think It’s one of the few things where we share the same taste.

(images from weheartit)

Probably we will try to live in the Netherlands, at least for a while, trying to see what’s different, if there are more possibilities and so on. And maybe then, when we’ll have experienced both sides of our cultures we can finally begin to make our dream come true. I am looking forward!

Juliette

What about this blog?

2010-11-12T11:43:00.002+01:00

I think I have to blog on a more regular basis. There are days that I would write hundreds of posts, when I fill my notebook with ideas which read when I come home don't sound so attractive anymore.
Other days I really really don't know what to write. And even if I know I simply don't do it, not because I am lazy, but because I have no time or, most of time, I am too insecure and think no one would like what I write.
Last night I thought of a sort of index to fill almost the whole week. I picked up the idea from all the other girls of the blogs who do this thing.
It keeps you motivated and gives variety and regularity to the posts.
So, stay tuned to hear from me more often and maybe I'll have interesting things to share.

Juliette