Christmas tree

 

Yesterday we went to the market in Antwerp and we bought some sea snails (karakollen), so while the were cooking, we set up the christmas tree.

My dad made a small table for under the tree, as we had to cut the lower branches to avoid the Bobby (yes, she has a name) will jump in the tree.

 

When the tree was decorated, DH and son #2 set up their Marklin train underneath the tree. Good idea...

 

 

until Bobby found out...

 

 

So know there is only lego under the tree and the Marklin is back safe in the box after having been derailed by Bobby, the catzilla.

 

Wreath

Son #2 made this wreath in school, I think he did his best and it is now the centerpiece on our dining table. Well done.

Christmas Market in Antwerp

Today I tried to make red velvet cake, my favorite when I was in NYC. The cake was delicious, but not red velvet... So I have to try again. I also didnt have enough frosting... The frosting was nice, but again, it was not the same as I could remember. Anybody a good recipy?

 

This afternoon, we decided to pay a visit to the Christmas market in Antwerp. We parked the car in the old harbour and walked to the Grote Markt.

And as you can see, the sky was gorgeous, there was a nice admosphere and we had some nice treats.

 

Merry Christmas

 

Well, I promised a pic of our tree, so here is it, a 4 meter tree, we have had a bigger one, but I still think it is quite big. But I could have accepted it as I sent DH with the boys to get it...
I know I like big trees, but boys...
So for those of you that need to work today, have a nice day and hopefully tonight you can just join a christmas diner that someone else prepared.
Here, we are the one preparing and my family will come over today, so that so be fun.
Wishing you all a Meery and bright Christmas!

I am running out of time...

It has been hectic overhere, I have a million thing sto do and for some reason not the energy to do them. I have a broncitis, which is also not helping, but OK, we´ll live.
I have to buy christmas gifts very quick no as the days are ticking away until christmas.

My mum was friendly enough to help the school of the boys out in making advent wreaths with the kids. ANd as you can see, son #1 enjoyed having his grandma over. This happened actually two weeks ago, but they only posted pics of the event on their site recently.

And this is the result.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

Christmas market in cave

The boyfriend of our au pair visited her this weekend and we thought we would visit an original Christmas market. The one in Valkenburg (there are actually two) are held in the two local man-maded caves.

The temperature inside is always 12 degrees Celsius, so quite nice. And it is a lovely market to visit. One word of advice, come early! As we left the caves, there were no more people allowed to enter until people left, so the amount of people in the caves is regulated. So outside were huge lines with waiting people...

In the above pic you can see that people used to make sculptures in the caves... In the older parts, you can see wonderful sculptures and paintings, you can even find fossils.

Chilly jam

Tonight I made some chilly jam to go with the christmas turkey.

The recepy comes for the Nigella Christmas cook book and is sooooooo yummy. Just love it with turkey or chicken.

Christmas day

Yesterday we had christmas diner with my side of the family and today we are with my in-laws, who live near the sea, so we went for a quick walk in the dunes and did some sleding.
So did grandpa...
And now we are ready for christmas diner #2.

Handmade ornaments

These are some handmade ornaments I have on display in my home. The wreaths are made by my mum this year and are haning on our doors as I type this. The other ornaments are handmade gifts from friends and I cherish them, they get special splaces in our trees or home every year.
I love these handmade gifts, they are some much more precious than store bought, but that is maybe because I know how much hard work goes in one of these little items.
As you can see ladies, all your gifts are still decorating my house every year. thanks.

The cooking and baking is done

Well, this is the result of an afternoon grocery shopping, cooking and baking. The turkey is stuffed, the cookies are made and a speculaas parfait, which is delicious. We tried the parfait last week and is was so good, we decided to have it for christmas day dessert.
The yummy result is shown here:

Some cupcakes filled with cherries and apples. Some traditional cheese cookies in the back and some white fondant cookies.

We are ready for Christmas...

Best Wishes

If you want to see our christmas wishes, please click the 'play'button.

Christmas preparations

Friday was the last day of school this year and the boys wanted to dress up. Since they are going to an uniform school, dressing up is what you see on the picture above. They both looked cute, they had a great time. And now they are on holiday.
Normally I also would have these two weeks off, but because it is soooo busy at work, I was asked to come in on Monday, so I will visit two more clients and then my holiday starts.

Peter made this christmas tea lite, which looks great and we will lite it on christmas night. I am very proud of him, in those two months that he is going to school, he is doing very well, except for the potty training. For some reason he still is to late telling his teacher that he has to go to the toilet. Are there any mums that have tips?

My mum made us this wonderful christmas table decoration. She also made us a wreath for the frontdoor. She is so great with flowers and plants.
My dad on the other hand is fantastic with glass and he made this father christmas glass decoration. It is a lamp, so at night we turn it on.

Myself... I haven´t been that creative, it has been so busy at work, that I came home late a couple of nights and the other night I am too tired to do anything... so, nothing to show from me.