I think that 2020 has been something else than that we all had anticipated,

Covid-19 has had a huge impact in all of our lives.

In terms of work and definitely also on a personal level, and onfurtunately it's still not over yet.

At the time of writing this blog post we're heading to another lockdown for at

least two weeks, a situation I think you can all relate to.

                    

    

 This year started really positive with our shop featured in

 the 'Brocante Living' (see previous post)  

I couldn't have imagined how much impact that would have and still does.

So many people have find their way to our shop and I'm so grateful for all your 

support, despite the fact it's such an unsettling time for all of us 🙏  

 

That's one of the reasons I haven't been around here much.

I've been very busy with the shop and sadly no trips to my beloved England and France to share here.

But also on a personal level time was precious, especially in the second

 half of this year because what we were all afraid of happened ... 

My dear mother-in-law tested positive for Covid and sadly didn't win this very unfair battle 😢 

She will be sorely missed but she will live on in our hearts where we keep such happy memories. 

During all these eventful times we managed to have a short family 

break in our own country and again we were so very lucky with the weather.

And on another positive note, again I've got some excited 

news according the shop!

I'm so very happy to share that we've become

 a stockist of another gorgeous english brand, namely 'the Stitchery'

From now on you can find several Kits designed by the lovely 

Nicki Franklin on our Website

  

I'm so very honoured to bring these wonderful Embroidery Kits to our customers ...

Haven - under the Pear Tree

The Stitchery Seasons - Autumn

Mini Kit Blackberries

Vintage Christmas Wreath Embroidery Kit

Christmas Goose Mini Embroidery Kit

Because we all can do with some cheering up and our

 shop also celebrates its 4th Anniversary I thought all the more 

reason for having another Giveaway!

So if you would like to have a chance (just like last year) to give your Christmas

a little bit more sparkles with this cutie below on your Christmas Cake, 

then hop over to my Instagram or Facebook Page to participate!

It would be your last chance to have this little one at your home

 because sadly it's no longer available.  

But luckily there are still enough other festive items to shop on our Website  

Fingers crossed we can all celebrate Christmas with our loved ones.

Take care, stay safe!

Anita

~xo~

 

New beginnings ....

First of all I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020.

That all your wishes may come true in this fresh new year!

Ours has set off with a wonderful start, 

because our little shop is featured in the first edition of 

the Dutch magazine 'Brocante Special' 

by the makers of Ariadne at Home 

(another well known magazine in the Netherlands)

I felt so very honoured and the response have been overwhelming 💗

When I share this post January is already over.
Makes you realise even more to enjoy every day to the max.

 Last year I was forced to take a step down due to the condition of my eyes.
After my last visit at the eye doctor this past month,
I had to make the decision to quit my part time
job at the hospital.
Although my sight has improved, the remaining side effects will
 keep me from an eight hours day filled with computer work.

But when one door closes another one opens ...
It will give me time to give our Webshop my full attention
and there are still plans to create a Holiday Let in our annexe.

Last year I had some second thoughts about the whole idea because of my sight,
but now feeling confident enough.
The renovation has therefore been delayed, but there is no rush.
Except for those lovely followers on here and Instagram
who asked if it was already finished because they already fancied a stay 😊

Apart of the stress of having to quit my job, January was a good month.
I did a bit of pottering in the garden, and now in love with my kitchen view ...

You can find the Wooden Trug here

Still have to clean my little Greenhouse to make it look like this again ...

We already made a good intention come true (making more time for friends)
 by having a dinner party ...

You can find the Bottle Light here

Not to mention the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

You can find the Bird Silhouette Robin here

Although we still have some Winter left I'm already in a Spring mood ...

You can the Photo Frame Evi here 

You can find the Jane Hogben Jug here

You can find the Glass Vase Daisy here

You can find the Circular Woven Basket here and the Embroidered Tea Towel here

And already some new (Easter) stock in our shop ...

You can find the Hanger Rabbit here 

Which means items in our Sale like this Miniature Greenhouse ...



But also cosying up indoors with this handy portable light ...

You can find the Portable Wooden Led Book Lamp here

 

"While it's February, one can
taste the full joys of anticipation.
Spring stands at the gate with
her finger on the latch"

                         Patience Strong

You can find the Jane Hogben Espresso Mug Snowdrop here

Hope to 'speak' you soon again.
Happy new month, happy February!

Anita
~xo~

First of all my apologies for neglecting my blog for such a long time.

 In the meantime I've had the necessary eye surgery, 
with -besides some side effects which will hopefully be temporary- good results.

 Although I'm still in the middle of my recovery,  

I really felt the need to put a small post on here before another year is over.

The last few months I mainly spent at home and in my garden.

This past period has taught me even more how important my home is

 and how it contributes to my well being.

It has been a safe haven and embraced me when I couldn't go out that much.

Due to my eye problems, our plans (and renovations) for a holiday let in our annexe were postponed, 
but hopefully will be continued next year. 

Instead my husband full filled a longstanding wish of mine, restoring the -en suite- doors in our living room.

But also built an alcove around the new stove in our kitchen.  

Our living room as it was before ...

and how it is now ...

  

You can find the Butterfly Print here

With the separation we're now having a cosy snug and a kitchen diner ...

I'm so very happy with the end result and so very proud of my husband.
I was used to have a dad who could make and repair almost everything. 
This must have put a strain on my husband 😜 but not any more! 
I'm sure my dad would have approved 💓

I guess it doesn't need much explanation why I couldn't wait to
 put those fairy lights up there ...

You can find the Fairy lights, Angel and Tea Towel Robin here 

And from there, much more was creeping in ...

You can find the Christmas Car and Christmas Guest Towel here

And also in my 'new' kitchen diner ...

You can find the Angel here

You can find the Hanging Photo Frame here

and in my living room aka snug ...

You can find the Candle Holder here

You can find the Christmas Bauble Reindeer here

You can find the Glass Dome Display here

You can find the Christmas Bell Reindeer here

You can find the Paper Winter Scene here

You can find the Wooden Trug here

I also did some test baking for my Christmas Cake.

Because my sister-in-law recently developed a lactose intolerance, 
I had to try a new version of the Frangipane Cake with Pears I baked before,
 but now with a lactose free crust. 

Here's the recipe: 

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 150 gram almond flour
• 150 gram powdered sugar
• 120 gram lactose-free baking butter at room temperature
• 100 gram apricot jam 
• 50 gram flour
• 3 eggs
• 3 pears (conference)

Crust:

• 260 gram LU Bastogne Cookies
• 90 gram lactose-free baking butter

You will need a metal cake/quiche base with
with a loose bottom (28cm)



Mix the almond flour, eggs, powdered sugar and the flour.
Leave the batter (the frangipane) rest for at least 3 hours in a cool place.

Start crumbling the cookies by putting them in a plastic bag and
using a rolling pin or other tool. But maybe even better, use a food processor.

Put them in a bowl and mix them with the melted butter.
When both have been mixed, put them aside for a moment.

Grease the edge of the quiche base and use baking paper for the bottom.
Divide the cookie crumbs on the bottom and edge of the base,
using a wet spoon to press the crumble a little.
Put it in the fridge for an hour before continuing the cake.

Divide the apricot jam on the crumble base and then add the frangipane.

Peel and cut the pears in halve. Remove the core and cut the pears in slices
with leaving the top together.

Divide the pears over the frangipane and bake the cake
in about 35 minutes in a preheated oven at 160 degrees.




Doesn't she (Bambino) look fab as a showstopper on my Christmas cake!

To end this year with a positive note, I decided to have a
little giveaway on my Instagram account
where you can have a chance to win Bambino.
So hop over here and have a go!
If you don't want to take any chances of having this beauty also on
your Christmas Cake, you can also find her here on our website.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!


Anita
~xo~

The Peak District second time around ....

Due to my reduced vision (which takes almost six months now😔) 

I still didn't wrote a blog post about our annual escape to the English country. 

Because computer work isn't really possible at the moment I write this post on my phone

 (which is not the most easiest way🙈) so it will be a short one. 

But I just had to document this lovely trip before we leave for our next holiday.

Again we had our first stop in the wonderful city Cambridge where Spring was at its best!

For the first ever time we booked the same location for the second time and it didn't disappoint, 

because it really felt like coming home at The Wee House on the Hill ....
You can read more about our first stay and see indoors photos of the cottage here

Gorgeous Bluebells at Lea Wood

We had a lovely walk at Dovedale

Our daily walk into the little town Wirksworth

The lovely Secret Orchard Nursery

Serious Wisteria envy 💜

At the cottage a view that never bores ....

And also the same breathtaking view on the little enclosed terrace next to the cottage. 

Not only the cottage gave us a wonderful week
 but also provided me to take some photos of the new Hogben stock
 we picked up during our stay which you can find on our website.

In two weeks time we will leave for the Provence

 to have some family quality time.

Hopefully an eye operation will be on the cards when we return.
Who knows, maybe next time I will be able to write a proper blog post again.

Until then!

Anita
~xo~