saucisse coupée et sauces mélangée

Just to show that it's not all caviar and champagne, this is what we served up to our very special guests Renee and Martijn. What can I say?... it's a compliment when you're comfortable enough with someone to serve them cut up sausage and three (not just one, no) sauces. Melange of sauces, that does sound fancy doesn't it. french makes everything fancy.

 
 
 
 

summer = discovering playgrounds. We three up in the air....douwe down on the ground!
 
 
 

Thanks for the poo

Simone visited, brought gifts, her company, entertained us, and we thanked her by pooing on her. Nelson needs to learn that that's not an accepted method of payment.

Good night Irene

It all happened so suddenly, one night douwe came back with her, he said a burgundy limited tokyo edition daihatsu- my first reaction was, em, it's PINK. But we grew to love her, pimped her (with bubble wrap, wooden beaded seat cushion, boom boxes, rubber nobs for antislip storage etc) and she was loyal, reliable and suprisingly roomy. Then her upkeep exceeded her worth and we weighed up the factors and they came out in her disfavour. So Good night irene- just like a dog you put to sleep, Let's say goodnight, not good bye... Apparently she's going to Ghana where she'll probably transport a family of 12. I think she'll like it, but I do feel a little pang in my heart thinking of the bumpy roads and heavy loads there.
 

PS we did get a new car, I do know that it's silver but further than that I don't know. It may be new, shiny and not have green stuff growing in the window rubbers, but it's got a long way to go before replacing the Tokyo Limited Edition in our hearts.

Sweet and Yummy!

Little nelson is such a happy baby, laughing more and more and still being sweet as....
 
A pineapple cream jelly slice. What a slice of sublimity (note to self: check if word exists). A crunchy biscuit base, creamy lemony filling and a topping of wobbly jelly: it's the contrasting textures of this piece of heaven which inaugurates this simple dessert into the Sweets Hall of Fame. Thanks to Alison who awakened my longing for Australian Slices...or should (my hips) be cursing you?
 

Farewell Tracey

It was a night out for the ladies, no kids, no men, just babble and eating and oh the freedom! ;) These are the Playground Mums (sounds like a posse and it kind of is) that have made Oegstgeest a great place for us!

Nelson is learning how to get what he wants- what a flirty baby!


They are such GOOD babies! One reads, the other studies motor skills. Giving me time to internet (is that a verb these days?)

We visited Merel & her Mum for a delicious lunch (which I immediately tried to copy that same night -see picture) and good running around in the gorgeous garden!

Kaemon's friend came over for pizza and chips...wondering how we get them so well behaved and sitting so calmly? Cars on DVD of course!!

Transport for the needy

One can't hold his head up, the other falls when he runs, both are back-breakingly heavy...how do we get around? Ta-da!.....I'm holding my breath as kaemon hasn't poked out nelson's eyes yet, with my back to them both, anything can happen.
We've been out and about and discovering a whole new world of the playground, playgroups, playdates, playmates etc etc. It's mind boggling, it truly is. I liken it to a kind of matchmaking process or even picking up at a bar....did we pick up? Discretion is key. Time will tell whether long lasting relationships can be borne out of playgrounds.

HOt hot hot

What we are eating today: >30degC, chilled green tea soba with pretty things Mmmmmmmmmm!

My Big Baby

The little N is 2 months old!


The Big N is 90 years old, we made Bobotie, his favourite dish- Mmmmmm sweet curry baked with a creamy topping, yellow cardomom scented rice and spicy apricot chutney

More angles of Nelson

His style is russian cossack inspired.

Nelson the great (pooper)! Kaemon the virtuous(o)!

It seems we struck it lucky again with a baby that's sweet and happy all the time! However, there's no rest for any mother, so it's not as if I'm posh spice or anything.

Our busy day...

 

Ode to the slice

The slice is the new leggings-under-skirt (or whatever current fad of the season). I don't know the true definition of a slice, but for me it's a hybrid of all the good features of baked yummies- cakes, cheesecake, biscuits, puddings, the list goes on on on- in a reduced format to enjoy at any moment of the day (desserts are often too filling after a meal). Take for example this apricot crumble slice: crumbly topping like an apple crumble, squishy filling like a jammy pudding and crunchy biscuit bottom. But flat and easy to stuff down in between lunch and dinner!!!!
 

Erik and Simone

Yes it's wedding season (already the 4th this year!)! Our good friends tied the knot in Nijmegen, a beautiful church service and a reception on a gorgeous summer's day. The best things were seeing the groom entering the church with a huge grin on his face and as the bride entered, the ladies in the congregation begin to cry! That's what weddings are all about... I love them!!!
 

Marjolein and Justin

A beautiful day and a beautiful wedding!! My dear friend marjolein married her handsome man- such a good looking family!! The parents of the bride were so proud and I like them a lot- so sweet! A shiny happy future for them all...
 

My Boys

Two kids are fun...entertainment always