Christmas eve....

As every other year our car slowly stopped at Harjit and Sven’s place for the traditional celebration on the Christmas eve .  The ambience was Christmasy  - with excited kids hovering around tempting gifts sitting under the purple  Christmas tree  , windows shining bright and the  table set for the yummy traditional Christmas food ...

 

With kids wanting to open the gifts and the parents -  ‘No No not now - food first' , ofcourse the balance of power was with the parents and the little ones counted seconds till the eating was done and then there was no stopping  :-).

Bolla the hamster too got its Christmas gift and so did our family.

 

and ofcourse mamma got the best gift :-).

Merry  Christmas!!!

Breaking plates.....

Yes you have guessed it right - It's all about an evening at one of our Greek friends home. I will let you know what this breaking the plates is.... Greece is all nice things - fantastic islands, beautiful beaches, remote villages, mountains and most of all I love their FOOD and their salads with the wild greens and  yummy cheeses tossed with lip smacking virgin Olive oil.

The festive season has BEGUN! and what better way than in a greek home with lovely ambience, music, great food and wonderful company of friends. I will let the pics speak ...

I really liked the dramatic effect created in the bed room by a floor lamp

lovely black and white sketches 1.steps at the benaras ghat, 2. a tram in kolkota street and 3. a street market. They picked these in India during their 2 year stay on an UN project.

 Yummy Isn't it? Baked Aubergines and capsicum with a generous spread of tzaziki

 

and finally the cappucino in the making

Coming back to the breaking of plates - we were told that Greeks like breaking plates to release the positive energy that has peaked during the party and express happiness. Gypsum plates are made for this purpose and there are special places where one can order a party including the breaking of the plates. Interesting !!! Read more here

all pics by me . Last

Christmas - the most Perfect timing!!!

There could not have been a more perfect timing for Christmas!!!  

For me though it is not of any religious significance, it is still a high point in the middle of the winter that not only makes me deal with the ice and the cold and the freezing tempertaures, but makes them enjoyable too.

Today  at minus 14C I was walking out in the Jul Marked( Christmas Market) arranged every year in the walking street of Oslo and I definetely need a Christmas and its festive fervor to live through the cold dark winter days,

 festive shopping

Red Vanilla Glazed apples

 cheese with that little extra, and figs withBalsamico

 Fresh caramelised almonds

 

and ofcourse the winter wear. 

 

There could not have been a more perfect timing for Christmas!!!

My first trip to Africa

When the plans for a trip to Africa were unfolding – I really did not have much expectations , didn’t think much , didn’t do much home work  – but then this turned out to be one of the best trips I ever experienced. Not in any particular order but over the next few weeks I will post things I enjoyed.

Art , Wine, Mountains , Vineyards, Music, Old world charm  - Yes then you are in the right place - Stellenbosch a quaint little university town in South Africa , 45 kms from Cape town will delight you in more than one way.

Be it the scenic drive through the extensive winelands spread across the valleys surrounded by majestic mountains

the gorgeous cape dutch 300 to 400 year old homes , 

 with their exquisite furniture - intricate inlay work below - looks 3D but feels like 1 piece on an almirah

 It's always intersting to see the kitchn's from the bygone erasThe copper container on the table I was told is a post box . The lady of the house would find in it an apology note from her husband after a fight or an argument. 

Ofcourse you are in Stellenbosch - and visits to the wine yards and wine tasting is a must ...

 Rustenberg wine estate that we visited and one of its many impressive buildings

 this town is sure to fill one’s eyes and heart making it a ‘want to comeback place’.  Oops!!!! did I hint anything :-).

  We chance upon such quaint little places as my husband’s work takes him there. I am not complaining that he is traveling 100 days a year :-). 

pic 1by Laurette Van der Merwe