Back in the garden...

This is impossible! Is it really more than two months ago that I was here? Time flies, that I know for sure!!

It was never the intention; it just happened. Spend some extra days in the office, dedicated time to some nice, new & challenging projects (will come back on that when the time is right!), holidays... Add the normal daily routine to it 'et volià', two months are gone before you know it!

 

But I hope to be back on a regular basis again.

 

Today I start with some garden pictures. Although it has been too cold lately, the last weeks there has been rain & sunshine... Perfect combination for the plants & flowers (and weeds!).

 

I actually only started working in the garden 2 weeks ago, before our holiday. Haven't been to the garden center nor any nursery yet... that is really exceptional! Never happened before :)

Last weekend I tried to clean the winter mess up... succeeded partly, still a lot of work to do.

But for now, I can show you some pictures:

 Tulips that I bought last year during my visit of the Keukenhof and
which I planted only end of January...

 

And what a coincidence... will be visiting the Keukenhof again this week. Very much looking forward to seeing all the beautiful flowers and colours.

 

Might be posting about it next week :)

 

Have a happy week & 'see' you soon again!

Welcome to March, welcome to Spring?!

 

The weather forecasts for the Netherlands this week are fantastic!

Between 11 and 17 degrees Celsius in the south...

Time for action, time for a good cleaning of the house (and get all of the viruses out!)

and time for some garden work!

 

 

So what am I doing here, behind the computer? Let's get started!!

 

Wishing you all a lovely sunny week!

Hello, I'm back!

 

Well, hello again! Welcome to 2013. Welcome to Abacaxi & Hortelã!

It's been a while!

 

Enjoyed a short break during the holiday season.

 

Of course I prepared a nice diner for my parents and some friends for Christmas Day.

I chose for a bit of an unusual combination of colours to decorate the table: aubergine (eggplant colour) and turquoise.

As I was the cook, I, unfortunately, didn't have time to take pictures of the food I prepared...

 

 

But this was on the menu:

 

Trio d'amuses: goat cheese/apricot bite, mascarpone/macadamia nut crème brulée & quick roasted scallop with sesame seeds and soy sauce

~

Beetroot soup with wodka, sour cream and mint

~

Filet of duck breast with roasted figs and a red wine - forest fruit syrup

~

Monk fish with mango salsa, mashed parsnip/potato, grilled green vegetables

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Lemon cheesecake with speculoos and blue berries

~

Coffee/tea & some sweet little indulgences

~

 

Yes, it was pretty good if I may say so myself ;)

 

 

 

And between Christmas and new years Eve we visited Berlin...

But that story will have to wait till next time :)

 

Have a great new week in this New Year where everything is still possible!

 

 

 

 

Flower Power

 

Although I did say good bye to Summer...

I could not resist picking this bunch of

late Summer Flower Power from the garden.

Zinnias, a variety of Dahlias, Sedum, Aster Dumosus & Gladiolus.

 

 

Wishing you all a lovely week full of colour!!

 

 

 

Saying good bye to Summer...

With October around the corner, I would like to bring a last ode to this years' Summer.

It has had its ups & downs this year, but, overall, it was a nice Summer!

 

Partying has been one of our favourite activities
 

 

We enjoyed the garden with all its beauties a lot

 

 

 

And of course, we 'vacationed'!!

 

Slovenia

Croatia

Venice

Verona

And rainy Luzern!

 

Ready for fall now!! Are you too??

 

Have a great weekend!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another garden party!

 

And last weekend it was time for another party in the garden!

The weather was gorgeous and so, late in the afternoon, we received about 20 friends at home

 for what will probably be the last BBQ of this season... unfortunately ;)

 

Apart from cleaning, preparing & cooking I love to do some tablescaping!

Not that easy if you have to fit in 20 people on your  terrace.

But we managed!

 

This time I chose red tablecloths... with little white polka dots,

napkins in white with little red polka dots (I used them here too),

white flower bouquets, mix match of red & white china.

Lovely food, nice company, latino music, samba, salsa and aché :)

 

See you soon again!

 

 

 

End of summer garden

 

Wow... hasn't September weather been good for us so far?

Sunshine, blue skies, crisp air during the day and cool night to sleep well.

If you ask me, it can go on like this till next Spring!

 

 

The garden is still full of flowers thanks to the Dahlias and huge Zinnias. The  Aster (novi-belgii) produces a rainfall of soft pink flowers.

 

 

I must admit that I'm pretty surprised by all the flowers that are still in bloom. And, that the rest of the garden doesn't look too worn out after the summer. Still quite some fresh green around!

 

 

 

Lots of pinkish flowers,

so I need to remember to add some flashy colour to the borders next year,

some bright red or orange will add a bit more 'fire' to it, don't you think?

Could you give me some advice?

That's it for now, gonna enjoy the gorgeous weather outside and
later to the tennis court to watch the boys play their competition matches!

 

Thanks for stopping by here,

this one's for you (fresh from the garden!)

 

 

Wishing you a good start of the new week!

P.S. Remember what our garden looked like last year?

Click here