Eeny's Universe

a couple cards

2012-02-01T21:14:00.000+01:00

I was in a crafty mood the other day and as I needed a couple birthday cards to send to some sweet friends - that's what I made: birthday cards.

As you can see, I found my love for washi tape again and I used some of my instagram sky pictures.

Totally forgot to take a picture of the back side =)
I printed out an individually picked quote on some ruled paper, wrote a little personal note on each one and adhered it with some washi tape of course.

Oh and as I needed a cute box for my little sisters birthday gift as well. I bought some cheap but ugly ones in the Euro Store (like the Dollar Store =) a while back - I wrapped one with black construction paper, wood grain paper and washi tape - adhered an instagram sky pictures and voilà: a pretty box matching the card for my little sis (the first one).

Somehow I just want to keep it now. I hope she'll love it as much as I do.

The pretty wood grain paper I used was created by Jessica from vol.25 and you can download it from here. I just printed it on some off white textured water color paper that I had on hand. I love it and I am sure I'll use it for future crafts.

Off to watch »New Girl«
xo.

i am back

2012-01-08T18:43:00.000+01:00

Christmas time is over and so I thought it was about time to take down my Christmas lights on my blog as well =)

... presents are unwrapped
... carols are sung
... xmas movies are watched
... fancy lunches and dinners are over
... cookies are all gone
... glühwein was drunk
... good times has been spent
... family time was awesome
... xmas decoration is almost down
... xmas music is turned off
... xmas time is over

As you might have noticed I took a little Christmas break from my blog the last two weeks. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. It was the usual, traditional things we did.
On Christmas Eve we had the whole family (grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins) over for dinner - nothing fancy but special in any way. After dinner we sang a couple Christmas carols and exchanged presents afterwards - just like when we were little. Then we just sat together talked, snacked on Christmas cookies, listened to Christmas songs and had a great time.
Christmas day was just as great - Santa left a couple more little presents in our stockings,
I cooked a fancy big lunch for my parents and my sister, we had coffee and cake with my grandpa, my aunts, uncles and cousins at my grandpa's place... oh and there were Christmas movies and hot chocolate at night.
Christmas day number 2 was for sleeping in and reading before my mom's siblings came over for coffee and cake and dinner. I baked my favorite cake - black forest cake - which looked more like a wedding cake than a traditional black forest cake or a Christmas cake - but it was soooo good (I have added a dash of cinnamon to the cake batter for a little Christmasy twist).

You see, my Christmas was full of family and out family traditions - that's the way I love it and want it to be forever =) The only thing missing was snow.

And then there was new years eve and *poooof* there was 2012. Unbelievable. Now it is another year till my favorite holiday again.

Hope your last 2 weeks has been extra special as well. Oh and of course I wish you a very happy new year - hope it will be full of love, joy, laughter, health, great times, encouraging words, great opportunities, awesome adventures, lovely people, bestest friends, bubbling creativity, dreams come true, wonderful surprises, magical moments... and absolutely everything you can only imagine.

xo.

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000+01:00

I am just poppin' in today to wish you all a very merry Christmas.
Enjoy this special time of the year with your loved ones. May your Christmas time be merry and bright, full of love and joy and extra special.

Thanks so much for all your love on this little blog of mine. I am so happy to have you as a reader and blog friend. Thanks for taking the time for leaving sweet comments and thanks for reading along. Thanks for the love.

xo.
eeny

almost here

2011-12-24T02:14:00.000+01:00

It's almost Christmas, I am just done wrapping all my presents but one. And that one is actually not done yet. Why is Christmas always coming so quickly? I have been extra busy during this week with Christmas stuff and spending lots of time with my little friends (aka babysitting). Tomorrow will be pretty busy too. Lots of food to prepare for our family Christmas party, some baking for Christmas day has to be done as well, finishing that last present, dropping off some presents at some friends' houses, ... oh goodness. Guess there is now sleeping in for me tomorrow.

Anyway, I just made this xmas eve kit pictured above that I want to share with you. I thought that would be a cute little last minute present for neighbors and friends. As Santa will be coming to town tomorrow night, we have to make sure he will find the way to our houses, gets some cookies and milk and of course find some carrots for his reindeer, right? So why not give all these things to your neighbours and friends so they are all set up for Santa's visit as well.

I baked some chocolate chip cookies, bought a big bag of carrots, filled little bottles with some milk and made some magic reindeer food. Then I just put everything into little wooden crates I got at the home improvement store. And ta-da... a xmas eve kit!!

For the Magic Reindeer Food I just mixed some rolled oats with glitter and tiny little stars, filled it into small cellophane bags and printed a handmade label with "Magic Reindeer Food" and a cute little reindeer on the front and the instructions on the back.

Here are the instructions:

Sprinkle in the lawn at night
The moon will make it sparkle bright
As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam
This will help them find your home.

I will drop these off at my friends' so Santa will find his way to bring them some well deserved presents. Hope everyone was nice and he will not just leave them a stocking full of coal =)

Alright, I am off for today - it is already after 2 a.m. on this part of the globe.

Oh and by the way, this is the last xmas workshop 2011 post for this year. I hope you enjoyed it and will be back for xmas workshop 2012 =)

xo.

cinnamon treats

2011-12-19T20:00:00.000+01:00

These yummy cinnamon cupcakes where my breakfast yesterday - as you might have seen in my Sunday breakfast post =)

Are they really cupcakes or are they more like a muffin? Well for most of the Germans everything shaped like these are muffins. What is the real difference between a cupcake and a muffin?

For me it is like the following - correct me if I am wrong:

Cupcakes...
... are basically like a big cake just baked in idividual servings
... for the batter you cream the butter and sugar add eggs, mix rest of the dry ingredients,
alternatly adding flour mixture and milk to the butter-sugar-egg mixture
... the texture is somewhat fluffy
... usually topped with buttercream/cream cheese/...frosting
... desert food

Muffins
... are more like a sweet bread with fruit or chocolate chips
... for the batter you first mix all wet and all the dry ingredients in separate bowls
and than quickly mix everything together
... the texture is more dense
... usually no frosting
... breakfast food*

*not that I wouldn't eat a cupcake for breakfast =)

I would consider these cinnamon things a cupcake but also breakfast food. (For me they are cupcakes because of the way you prepare the batter and the texture is just fluffier than what I would call a muffin).

Anyway... they are yummy for whatever occasion you want to eat them - perfect for breakfast but also great for a afternoon coffee date =)

Here is what you need for a dozen:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup buttermilk

for topping:
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
1/2 cup ground hazelnuts
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 180°C | 350°F and line your muffin tin with cute cupcake liners =)
Cream butter and sugar - add one egg at a time and mix well after each addition
In an extra bowl mix flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon
Add half of the flour mix to your butter-sugar-egg mixture and mix, add buttermilk and mix well, add the rest of the flower and mix until well combine. Don't over mix.
Fill batter into tin
Mix chopped and ground hazelnuts with cinnamon - sprinkle a good teaspoon of mixture on each cupcake.
Bake for about 20 minutes in preheated oven or until a toothpick poked in the middle of the cupcake comes out clean.
Let them cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, transfer to wire rack and let them cool completely.
Enjoy them!

I baked mine in the muffin tin from ikea this time. I think these are so cute.
Don't you think these make a great Christmas morning breakfast?

xo.

4. sunday in advent

2011-12-18T05:00:00.000+01:00

I slept in today and woke up to the world coverd in a coat of white fluffy snow. Oh, how I love this. After a perfect start, the day called for a yummy breakfast. So I just had to make some cinnamon cupcake-muffin goodies. And to make breakfast even better I made a cinnamony latte macchiatto to go with them. Yum yum yum.

And so you can make these yummy cinnamon treats for yourself, I'll share the recipe with you later.

How was your last week? Mine was kind of busy but great in anyway. Lots of time with my little friends including a chipmunks movie, baking yummy treats, two days of Christmas shopping with my sister, catching up with old friends, getting to know new ones, finally mailing out those Christmas cards, and lots and losts of other things that kept me busy.

Now I am off to a little concert at our village square. There might be some waffles and hot spiced cider to be devoured there as well. =)

Enjoy your day.
xo.

soft lips and skin

2011-12-17T09:00:00.000+01:00

We all want to look extra pretty for xmas, right? Here are two awesome recipes for homemade scrubs with things you will most likely find in your kitchen.

Cinnamon Nutmeg Face Scrub

1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp honey

Mix everything together
Rub it on your face
(it is very sticky, if it is too sticky to spread you can add a tiny little bit of milk to make it a little softer and more spreadable)
Leave it on for 20 minutes
Rinse it off with warm water
Moistureize skin with a good face moisturizer

This face scrub is supposed to help with acne (active and scares) and it really leaves your skin nice and soft.

Honey Sugar Lip Scrub

1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp honey

Mix everything together
Spread on your lips - I usually leave it on for a couple minutes
Don't lick it off - I know it is hard not to =)
Rub it on your lips with one finger in circular motions
Clean it off with warm water
Apply a tiny bit of olive oil to moisturize lips

This lips scrub leaves you with the softest most kissable lips.

Time for a little homemade spa time for yourself.
xo.

in the air

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000+01:00

i would wear xmas edition

2011-12-12T23:40:00.000+01:00

For a xmas party I would wear this from my dream closet

... a cute black dress with a bow
... a red cardigan
... black sparkly heels

... my key necklace
... black studs

... a festive smokey eye
... nude lip gloss
... red glitter nail polish

... my hair in big loose curls or maybe a bun

What would you wear?
xo.

| put together on polyvore |

3. sunday in advent

2011-12-11T19:00:00.000+01:00

On the breakfast menu: Pfannkuchen with plum lebkuchen jam and a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and of course a santa's hot chocolate latte. Looks like these are my ~~only~~ favorite breakfast foods, right? It just fits the Christmas time best for me. A touch of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and all-spice in every dish =)

This was actually my Saturday breakfast to be honest. I wasn't home Sunday morning and actually skipped breakfast anyway - but I didn't want to skip the 3. Sunday in Advent Sunday breakfast post.

My best friend invited me over for a raclette dinner party with some other friends on Saturday night. We had so much fun and filled our little raclette pans with the yummiest food and grilled some meat and shrimp on the raclette grill top. I love these kinds of dinner parties with friends but as you just have fun and talk and eat and talk and eat, you usually end up eating way too much. And so it happened again this time. I stayed at my friend's house for the night as it is a 45 min drive. The next morning we were still stuffed from all the food the night before so we decided to skip breakfast and just had coffee. The only one who was a little hungry was her cute little boy. Guess he was the only one not overeating the night before. =)

Actually there wasn't much food consumed by me this entire Sunday. Just a couple Christmas cookies with coffee in the late afternoon with my parents and my grandpa and a bowl of vegetable soup for dinner.

Hope your weekend has been as fun as mine.
xo.

the cute ones

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Of course, I had to bake gingerbread man. Specially because I finally found the perfect gingerbread man cookie cutter. Yeah!

Here is the recipe:

3 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1-2 tsp ginger
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup molasses

mix flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger in a medium size bowl - set aside
cream butter and sugar with hand mixer
add egg and molasses and mix well
add flour mix and mix well - knead to a smooth dough
wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate ideally over night (but at least for 2 hours)
Preheat oven to 350°F | 175°C
Roll out dough - cut out gingerbread man with your cookie cutter - place on cookie sheet lined with baking parchment
bake for 7-12 minutes - depending on cookie size.
let them cool on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes - cool completely on wire rack
decorate with royal icing and let them dry completely
store in an airtight container or a tin box.

I wrote my family member's names on a bunch of them. I plan to use them as »place cards« on the Christmas dinner table. I made an eeny gingerbread man. Look!
And you might remember my all time favorite cookie cutter - my little bambi one. Of course I made a whole bunch of gingerbread bambis as well.

Aren't these just the cutest ever? I think they are.

Have a great weekend.
xo.

PS: Thanks Bakerella for the inspiration for the cute little gingerbread man faces.

little moose with a bow tie

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

As you might have noticed, I love to give little handmade | personalized | crafted gifts. The other day when I was at the local houswares store I rummaged through the cookie cutter rack and found this cute moose one. Isn't it just cute? There was no way to not buy it - actually I bought a couple ones because I thought they would be a great addition to Christmas gifts. But later that day in the grocery store as I got some baking things I saw these packages of assorted sprinkles wrapped in individual little bags and it instantly hit me. Why not make little cookies kits? And so I did!

Here is what you need - obviously =)

a cute moose cookie cutter - or any other shape you like =)
sprinkles - individual little packages or just fill little clear bags with any kind you have on hand
your favorite cookies recipe
a cute little box - tin or cardboard - or a cellophane bag
pretty ribbon

Write your favorite cookies recipe on little flash cards or print it on thick paper so you can cut out little cards. Round the corners with your corner punch, punch a whole through one corner and either tie them together with pretty ribbon or twine or use a split pin to fix them.
Tie a little bow around the mooses neck
Put everything into the little box or bag and tie it with a cute ribbon and some love ♥

Done!

Pretty easy, huh? ♥
xo.

PS:
Would you like to have the printable recipe cards? Just leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail. I have to make a couple adjustments to it, but I'll be happy to do that if you are interested.

the cherry on top

2011-12-08T19:24:00.001+01:00

Guess what, here is another xmas cookies recipe. I baked these cookies for the first time for Christmas last year and they made »the list«

This year I made half of the batch with cherry jam and the other half with my homemade plum lebkuchen jam*.

Here is what you need:

300g flour (+ extra to flour the surface)
150g sugar
1 pkg of bourbon vanilla sugar (= 1 tbs or use 1 tsp vanilla extract)
Salt
1 egg
150 g cold unsalted butter
150 g cherry jam*
250g powdered sugar
2 tbs lemon juice

In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, small pinch of salt, egg and butter (cut into small pieces) and mix with the hand mixer with dough hooks attached. Knead by hand until dough is all smooth.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour
Preheat oven to 200°C | 390°F (Convection 175°C | 350°F)
Sprinkle working surface with flour and roll out your dough - about 3mm
Cut out little scalloped circles (knead together remaining dough and roll it out again =) and place them on a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment.
Bake for 7-9 minutes - depending on cookie size.
Let cool completely on wire rack.
Now it is time to assemble the little "pies" - stir up and smooth the cherry jam and place about 1/2 tsp (more for bigger cookies, less for smaller cookies) on a cookie and top with another cookie
TIP: place cherry jam in the middle of one cookie - no need to spread it - slightly press other cookie on top with a twisting move - that way you will get a nice edge.
Line up all your "pies" on wire rack - it's frosting time:
Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice. Add little water - little by little starting with a tsp.
The consistency shouldn't be too runny or it'll run off your cookie (which might not be a bad thing =). Put a small amount in the middle of the cookie and spread it towards the edge with a teaspoon.
Let the cherry pie cookies dry - when the frosting is try put them into an air tight container.

I dare you not to eat them all by yourself =)

xo.
eeny

stars and angel wings

2011-12-06T14:22:00.000+01:00

Cinnamon Stars has always been one of the most favorite xmas cookies in my family - specially this recipe as you add in chocolate to the "original" dough. I think chocolate always adds some extra yumminess to everything =)

Chocolate Cinnamon Stars | Chocolate Cinnamon Angel Wings

50g semi-sweet chocolate
225 g powdered sugar + extra for rolling out the dough
3 egg whites
salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs cocoa powder
300g ground hazel nuts
1 small ziploc bag or a pastry bag
plastic wrap

Prepare 2 cookie sheets with baking parchment
Cut chocolate in small pieces and melt in double boiler
Sift powdered sugar set aside. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt - add powdered sugar little by little. Fill 6 tbs of beaten egg whites into ziploc bag and set aside.
In an extra bowl mix nuts, cinnamon, cocoa powder and melted chocolate. Now fold in the remaining beaten egg whites.
EXTRA TIP for easy handling of sticky dough:
Plastic wrap is the big secret - sprinkle it with powdered sugar and roll out dough (1cm | almost 1/2'') between two layers of the plastic wrap - remove top layer of plastic wrap - slightly sprinkle dough with powdered sugar again - top with wrap again - flip the whole thing over and remove plastic wrap (plastic wrap + freshly sprinkled dough side should be on the bottom now).
Cut out cookies with cookie cutter and place on cookie sheet. Dip cookie cutter into flour or powdered sugar after each cookie.
Preheat oven to 150°C | 300°F (Convection: 125°C | 260°F)
Cut off a small tip of the ziploc bag and decorate each cookie with beaten egg whites. (Just as you would do with royal icing)
Bake for about 15 minutes
Let cool on wired rack
Store them in an airtight container or a cute tin box.

Need to snag myself one or two chocolate cinnamon stars right now =)
xo.

it's saint nicholas day tomorrow

2011-12-05T20:10:00.000+01:00

Just in time for Saint Nicholas day tomorrow I finished new stockings for my family. In Germany we have the tradition that Saint Nicholas comes to every house and puts oranges, nuts, tangerines, Lebkuchen, Pfeffernüsse, chocolate saint nicks and little presents into our boots or stockings on December 5th.

When my sister and I were little, we put our boots infront of the door on December 5th and waited for a little sign all evening. Saint Nicholas always put something in them and rang a little bell, but by the time we opened the door he was already gone - every time. (We never realized that my dad was never in the room when Saint Nicolas rang the bell =)

Some of my friends always told me that Saint Nicolas rang the door bell at their house and read in his big golden book what naughty and nice things they did during the year. He also brought along his helper Knecht Ruprecht - who was a bit scary. Sometimes I was a bit jealous that they actually got to meet Saint Nicolas in person but after thinking about it, I was glad he didn't take the time to stop at our house. At this point I got to admit that I was a naughty little girl, always up for pranks and everything I wasn't supposed to do. So I was scared of Knecht Ruprecht.

Well, I got to meet Saint Nicholas with all the other kids in preschool on December 6th when he came to class and brought little presents for us. But it just wasn't the same.

Anyway, today I made new stockings for everyone.
I started off with some burlap, a stocking template and a pen.

I cut out 2 stocking pieces for each stocking, sewed them together with a zick-zack stitch and turned them outside out =)

Than I decorated each one individually. Fake white fur - ruffles, lace and buttons - lace and a big bow - fur, ruffles and a little bow. Oh and I sewed on a little hanging loop on each stocking. (Totally forgot to take pictures of the different steps. Sorry, but if you have any questions, just shout me an email.)

And last but not least I cut the letters out of thick red felt, hole punched them and put a little eyelet in and tied them to each stocking. Tada...

Hopefully Saint Nicholas will put some little knick-knacks in there (and maybe Santa Claus will put something in there on Christmas Eve)

So don't forget to put your boots or stockings in front of your door tonight.
xo.

PS: Off to watch »Four Christmases« Love this movie. It's hilarious =)

2. sunday in advent

2011-12-04T13:54:00.001+01:00

Can you tell I like star shaped food for xmas breakfasts? =)
Today I had star shaped cinnamon pancakes - drowned in syrup and a Santa's Hot Chocolate Latte.

Have a lovely Sunday and don't forget to light the second candle on your advents wreath/centerpiece.
xo.

just a little something

2011-12-02T20:25:00.001+01:00

When I visit friends or family during Christmas time (or any other time =) I like to bring along little handmade presents. Just a little something to make them happy.

The other day I needed a quick little present with things I had on hand. I always have some tealight holders in my crafts closet. They always come in handy. I wrapped around some silver wire and tied a glittery star and some tiny ornaments to the tealight holder, slipped in a iced snowberries scented tealight and tadaaaa - a cute little christmasy present.

I almost wanted to keep it for myself. And I am sure I will make a couple more of them. Maybe I will use a mason jar next time.
xo.

from itchy to awesome

2011-12-01T21:05:00.001+01:00

I have this scarf. It is actually really pretty and I love it... buuuut... it is soooo itchy I just can't wear it. But because it is so pretty I just couldn't get myself to give it away. Then it happened: I browsed through my favorite catolog ever - »Impressionen« - my main source of inspiration. I saw that pretty wreath for €60 and it hit me. I rememberd that scarf of mine, that itchy one.

I threw a straw wreath, some of those wreath stapel things (have no clue what they are called) and a couple deco odds and ends into the mix...

... wrapped the scarf around the wreath and stapeled it to it with those stapel thingies, tied the ends to a knot and voilà...

... my new wreath.

Just had to decide if I like the more »country house style« or a more »chic style«. Guess which one I picked?

Oh and guess how I fixed those glass ball ornaments to the wreath? You will never guess that =) I used some old bobby pins.

I love that wreath and it cost me nothing at all. I had everything I needed at home - or let's say, I borrowed the straw wreath and the staple thingies from my mom. She didn't mind though.

xo.

vanillekipferl

2011-12-01T00:26:00.001+01:00

It it a German tradition to bake Christmas cookies. I always have and always will love this tradition. I remember when I was little that my mom baked a couple different ones and kept them in big tin boxes on the top shelf in the pantry. She put a couple on a plate to be munched on every day during Christmas time. When my sister and I where little bigger, we sometimes sneaked in there with a chair and swiped a couple out of the tin boxes. Oh those swiped ones where the best.

I also remember that my mom used to make about 5-8 different kinds. Which is not that much according to the following. Last year the where looking for the housewife that baked the most different batches of Christmas cookies on a local radio station. One lady called and claimed to have baked 52 different Christmas cookies. That's insane, isn't it?
Over the weekend I baked 8 differnt batches (as you might have seen on my instagram) - the decorating part took me like forever =)

Today I want to share the Vanillekipferl recipe with you. Vanillekipferl are a traditional German Christmas cookie. Well actually they where created by the Austrians but baked in German households ever since =) They are vanilla flavored, crescent shaped cookies coverd with powdered sugar. I think they are called sand tarts in the US - correct me if I am wrong, please.

Here is what you need for 64 cookies:

250g flour
100g ground almonds
80g powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
200g butter, cold and cut into pieces
1 pck (1 heaping tbs) vanilla sugar
1 pinch salt

For dusting after they are baked:

100 g powdered sugar
2 pck (2 heaping tbs) vanilla sugar

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, ground almonds, powdered sugar (80g), egg yolk, Butter, vanilla sugar (1pck) and salt and mix together. Knead by hand to get a smooth dough and form into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Prepare 2-3 cookiesheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 175°C | 350°F
Cut dough into 4 pieces and roll each peace into a roll. Cut each roll into 16 pieces.
Now roll each piece into a small roll and form into a crescent. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 11-14 minutes (until the slightly smaler ends are golden brown).
While cookies are baking mix together powdered sugar (100g) and vanilla sugar (2pck).
Take cookies out of the oven and let them sit on the cookie sheet for 2 min.
While cookies are still hot, either dip them into the powdered sugar mixture and place them on a wire rack to cool or place them on a wire rack and sprinkle the powdered sugar mix on top. (I like the dipping technique). Let them cool completely.
Store them in an airtight container or a tin box.

Enjoy.
xo.

PS: Don't forget to fill you Advent calendars. It's December 1st tomorrow.
Don't have one yet? It's not too late - check out my DIY from last year -
you might have everything you need to make one last minute.

xmas in your heart

2011-11-29T23:11:00.000+01:00

1. sunday in advent

2011-11-27T11:30:00.000+01:00

Christmasy breakfasts are my favorite =)
I made Kaiserschmarrn for the whole family. Instead of rippin it up with the spatula I cut it out with a star cookie cutter. I served it with cinnamon whipped cream, pomgranate seeds and Santa's Hot Chocolate Lattes.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
xo.

advent advent ein lichtlein brennt

2011-11-26T21:07:00.001+01:00

Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt.
Erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier,
dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.

Advent, Advent one little candle is lit.

First just one, then two, then three, then four,

and then the "Christkind" is at your door.

Here in Germany we have a tradition to lit four candles during the Advent season (= the four weeks before Christmas) - one candle every Sunday until Christmas Eve. So most families have either an Advent wreath or an Advent centerpiece with four candles. When I was little we always had a wreath but for the last couple of years we always had a centerpiece.

This year my little sister asked me to decorate her centerpiece. Her only two requests were the colors (brown and green) and not to use hot glue as she wants to use it throughout the year after Christmas and be able to remove the Christmas decoration easily. Of course I said yes. So she brought me her centerpiece over.

I got some green, brown and silver Christmas ball ornaments, some sparkly glittery stars and green candles. I tied everything to the little wooden sticks of the centerpiece with nylon thread.

It was already pretty that way but I decided to bring in a little more green. I thought a box tree twigs garland around the bottom of the centerpiece would be perfect.

For the garland I started off with a roll out of newspaper that was long enough to wrap around the centerpiece. After that I started fixing box tree twigs (about 3.5-4 inches long) to the newspaper roll. I layered 4 twigs a time to the roll and wrapped some wire around it to fix them.

As I was not allowed to use any hot glue, I had to come up with something else to fix the box garland to it. I cut out a piece of cardboard the size of the centerpiece, poked in some holes and tied the garland to it with some wire. I flipped the cardboard over and just placed the whole decorated centerpiece on top.

Voila... this is what it looks like:

My sister picked it up today. She loooved it - that makes me happy =)

Can't wait to see it on her dining table the next time I visit her.

And as I had some left over box tree twigs I mad myself a little Advent centerpiece. I have to get a bigger candle though. This one is a little too small. And maybe a red one this time?!

It might look quite familiar to some of you. Remember the one from last year? See how I made it here.

Oh by the way, my mom's centerpiece looks kind of like the one from 2 years ago. She loved it so much so she decided to recreate it this year.

Hope you are a little inspired to maybe create your own Advent centerpiece (or wreath).

Its the 1. Sunday in Advent tomorrow and time to light the first candle.

xo.

PS: Have you seen the Christmas lights I hung up on my blog =)

xmas workshop 2011

2011-11-25T20:08:00.000+01:00

Sunday marks the official start of xmas time. That means it is time to open up my little xmas workshop again. Like last year I have xmas recipes, xmas DIYs, xmas, favorites, xmas traditions, ... and lots of other xmas stuff on my xmas workshop schedule. So get out your favorite cookie cutters, scissors and some twine, tomorrow we will start getting ready for xmas.
xo.

300 - pumpkin spice cupcakes

2011-11-19T15:00:00.000+01:00

No no no, I did not bake 300 pumpkin spice cupcakes. That would be kind of insane, right?
Well, sometimes I do these kind of insane things for special occasions. But 300 cupcakes in a home kitchen... hmm noooo! The 300 is for »post no. 300« - Woohooo! This is kind of unbelievable. Somehow it feels like I have just started blogging and somehow it feels like I have done it forever.

Anyway, I did bake pumpkin spice cupcakes but just a dozen of them. They are the most requested cupcakes in my family lately. I made them for the first time a couple weeks ago and most of my family members never ever had anything pumpkin spiced before. Guess most of the Germans never ever had anything pumpkin spiced in their entire life before. And I think German Starbucks doesn't even serve pumpkin spice latte. Unbelievable, right? So I just had to introduce them to the divine flavor of pumpkin pie spice. They are addicted now. Mission accomplished, I'd say.

For 12 cupcakes you need:

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon*
1/4 tsp ginger*
1/4 tsp nutmeg*

Preheat oven to 350°F | 175°C
Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and spices in an extra bowl
Cream butter, add sugar and mix till fluffy
Add eggs, one at a time and mix well after each addition
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix
Add 1/2 of the pumpkin puree and mix
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and mix
Add rest of the pumpkin puree and mix
Add rest of the flour and mix till all combined
Divide batter equally into your greased or with cupcake liners lined cupcake tin
Bake for 17-20 minutes
Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes and cool them completely on a wire rack

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 tbs butter, room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth
Add vanilla extract and beat till mixed in
Add confectioners sugar beat on low to mix in. Then beat on high till fluffy (about 2 minutes)
Pipe or spread on cooled cupcakes

* You can use 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice if you have some on hand.
I have to mix my own pumpkin spice - it isn't available here in Germany.

1/2 tbs cinnamon
1/4 tbs ginger
1/8 tbs nutmeg
1/8 tbs allspice
1/8 tbs cloves

Well actually I don't do the cloves though as I don't like them. But lot of people like cloves so I thought I will post the "actual" recipe for pumpkin pie spice.

What's your favorite pumpkin spiced "thing"?
Cupcakes, pie, latte, french toast, jam, pancakes...?
I guess I'd vote for cupcakes and lattes.
xo.

| recipe adapted from joyofbaking.com |

11.11.11. at 11:11:11

2011-11-11T20:11:00.000+01:00

Yes, that's what I did... I was at ikea and just put the red and white striped wrapping paper in my cart. =) And because Elizabeth from Dear Lizzy challenged everyone to take a picture at 11:11:11, I snapped one.

What did you do?

My 11.11.11 was awesome. Even though ikea was out off some of the stuff I really really wanted. Maybe I'll have to go again next week. Anyway, I got some Ribba frames and some Christmas presents and cute wrapping paper and haven't spent too much money as I usually do.

Later at the mall I found my favorite shower gel at the body shop on sale - the jumbo one. Oh, I love the smell of pink grapefruit. Have I ever told you that I am only using the Neutrogena Visibly Clear facial cleanser because I love the scent so much? Crazy, I know.
I also found some more Christmas presents, tried on some pretty shoes but couldn't decide which ones to get, bought a new cardigan at H&M, strolled through the bookstore, tested new perfumes - Boss Intense is still my fav, treated myself to a XXL latte macchiatto, ... got some sushi to bring home for dinner.

I really like going shopping all by myself every once in a while. Just stroll through all the stores and take as long as I want - spent an hour in the bookstore or at douglas or even staples (I don't know why some people get bored of office supply stores ;).

So, this was just a random day in my life. Nothing remarkable but awesome anyway.
Hope yours is/was awesome as well.
xo.
eeny

10 things...

2011-11-09T19:00:00.003+01:00

... that make me awfully happy.

This late birthday present from a dear friend
The art of Kelli Murray and Kurt Halsey
The yellow leaves in our front yard
The new vintage-like picture frames my sweet friend dropped off
The smell of pumpkin spice cupcakes in the oven
The fact that Christmas is just around the corner
The Michel Bublé Christmas album
The likeliness of watching The Holidays tonight - yes I am already in xmas spirit
The message from a friend I haven't talked to in sooooo long.
The possibility of an ikea trip tomorrow and quick stops at H&M, The Body Shop, Butlers, Staples, the drugstore, the coffee shop and the sushi bar.

What makes you happy today?
xo.
eeny

lunch for one

2011-11-07T17:07:00.000+01:00

See... I am not tired of pumpkin yet. =)

I am always on the search for recipes that serve one. The today I was totaly craving some risotto but I was home alone and risotto is one dish, that should be eaten just freshly made - so I didn't want to have any leftovers. So I came up with the following recipe - I tweeked my risotto recipe that serves 4.

Pumpkin Risotto for One

1/2 cup pumpkin, cut into small cubes
1/2 cups risotto rice (Arborio or vialone)
1 tbs onion, finely chopped
1 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups hot vegetable broth (or chicken broth or any other kind of broth you like)
1/2 tbs butter
2 tbs Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated
4 leaves fresh basil, minced
salt
pepper

Heat pot over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onions until translucent - NOT browned.
Add rice and and stir well. Sauté until rice is opaque, takes about 3 minutes
Add pumpkin cubes and sauté for a couple minutes
Add 1/2 cup of hot broth, stir well
Reduce heat so rice is simmering, not cooking.
Let the rice soak up the broth, stir. When all liquid is absorbed add a 1/4 cup of broth. Let the rice absorb broth, stirring a little more than occasionally.
Continue adding broth a 1/4 cup at a time and let rice absorb the broth before adding the next - do so until the rice is done - you might not need all broth. (The whole process takes about 20 minutes). Don't forget to stir.
Take pot away from heat and add butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano - stir well.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add minced basil
Serve immediately

This recipe serves 1 as a main dish and is plenty for 2 as a small side dish served with a steak and salad.

xo.
eeny

2011-11-07T08:08:00.000+01:00

the great pumpkin week sunday

2011-11-06T11:33:00.000+01:00

Another pumpkiny meal - and no I am not tired of pumpkin yet. Are you?
I had crêpes with pumpkin apple jam and a pumpkin spice latte for breakfast. Unbelievably good =)

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
xo.
eeny

guess what... ?

2011-11-06T00:13:00.000+01:00

... did you guess right? It's another pumpkin recipe. Today I have a pumpkin potato soup for you. It is perfect to warm you up after a long fall walk in the crispy air.

This recipe serves about 6 and leftovers are perfect to put in the freezer for a quick lunch or dinner later.

1/2 cup bacon, cut in little cubes
1 large white onion
1 bundle of "Suppengrün"*
1 Hokkaido pumpkin (about 2 lb)
2 lb potatoes
2 tbs instant vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 - 1 tbs Harissa (go easy on that paste, it is really spicy)
salt, pepper

* Suppengrün = in Germany you get various vegetables you need for soup already bundled at every farmers market or grocery store. Usually it contains 1-2 carrot, 1 leek, a piece of celery root, 1 parsley root and a couple stems of parsley.

mince white onion, cut the veggies from the Suppengrün into tiny cubes (mince parsley), peel potatoes and cut into cubes, wash and cut pumpkin into cubes (no need to peel it).
heat large pot, add 1-2 tbs oil and brown bacon. Add onions, Suppengrün, pumpkin and potatoes and sauté on low to medium heat for about 10 minutes.
Add 8 cups water and bring to boil. Add instant broth, bay leaf, cumin and Harissa and simmer for 30 minutes or till potatoes and pumpkin are done. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with french bread and bratwurst =)

Enjoy!
xo.
eeny

pumpkin lentil soup

2011-11-05T00:05:00.001+01:00

Like I told you in my last post, I love pumpkin. And what is better for fall weather than warming up with a delicious soup? So what about a Pumkin Lentil Soup with an oriental twist (cumin and cinnamon)?

Here is the recipe - 4 servings

1 1/2 cups lentils
1 small Hokkaido pumpkin
1 medium white onion
4 sprigs fresh marjoram
4 green onions
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz | 425 ml)
2 tbs instant veggetable broth
1tbs sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cumin

For the meatballs:

1 lb ground beef
2 tbs breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 small red chili
salt, pepper

rinse lentils, cut pumpkin into bite size dices (no need to peel the Hokkaido pumpkin), mince white onion, wash green onion and cut into small pieces, wash marjoram and pick leaves off the stem
heat a big pot on medium to high, add 2 tbs oil and sauté pumpkin for a couple minutes, add half of the white onion and sauté for another couple minutes
add lentils, marjoram and 6 cups of water
bring to boil, turn the heat down and let simmer for 15-20 minutes (depends on how long the lentils need to be done - keep in mind they will be cooked for an additional 10 minutes. See 8.)

Meanwhile:
In a bowl mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced chili (seeds and white parts removed), rest of the white onion, salt and pepper
form about 12-15 small meat balls
brown meatballs in a pan for about 5 minutes
add meatballs, green onions, can of tomatoes, instant broth, sugar, cinnamon and cumin to the pot and cook for an additional 10 minutes
Season with more cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper
Serve with bread - pita or flat bread is perfect any other kind is great as well =)

EXTRA TIPS:

skip the meat balls and you have a perfect vegetarian dish
not into the "oriental twist" - go easy on the cumin and cinnamon - but I advice you not to leave it out, it really makes it extra special
Lentils: I use french green lentils for all my lentil recipes. It's the kind I like best and I usually have at home. But any other kind works great as well. Maybe you have to adjust the cooking time a bit. Just check the lentil package.

Have fun cooking and enjoy.
xo.
eeny

from my iphone.

2011-11-04T12:43:00.001+01:00

Lately I am really addicted to everything pumpkin and pumpkin spice. Can you tell? So let's just call this week "the great pumpkin week". I have some more pumpkin recipes for you in store and I will share them later today and tomorrow. Yeah. But right now I am enjoying another pumpkin spice latte next to the toasty warm tiled stove while typing this post on my iPhone via the blogger app I just found. So I have no idea how this post will look like when I post it. =)

Have an awesome day.
See you later.
xo.
eeny

all about pumpkin

2011-11-03T23:08:00.000+01:00

Today I had a very pumpkin-y breakfast. On the menu was a pumpkin spice french toast with pumpkin apple jam and a pumpkin spice latte. So yummy. Guess I'll have it again tomorrow =)

After breakfast I baked vanilla cupcakes for my little friend's kids birthday party and joined the party later. I love baking cupcakes specially since I have finally mastered the art of butter cream frosting. Ha ha - I still can't believe that I failed at something as simple as butter cream frosting. Silly me!
Next thing on the list to master - French Macarons =) Wish me luck.

xo.
eeny

pumpkin and apple - the make a great couple

2011-11-02T17:18:00.002+01:00

I love fall because of all the delicious stuff you can get freshly picked at the farmers market or even in your own garden.

Pumpkins are one of my favorite vegetables. I basically like everything with pumpkin: soup, pie, pasta, stew and jam... everything!

And apples - what's not to like about apples, right? Apple pie, juice and cider, crumble, Apfeldatschi, jelly, jam... so yummy.

So why not combine those two awesome flavors? And this is what you get: Pumpkin Apple Jam.

I think Pumpkin Apple Jam is the perfect home made gift for fall season. I will definitely give away some to friends, family and neighbors. Oh and they make delicious little party favors for your Thanksgiving party, don't you think?

For 8 jars (200ml):

850 g pumpkin (peeled and cut you should end up with 650 g pumpkin)
750 g apples (600 g peeled end cut)
2 tbs lemon juice
1 pinch ground nutmeg
500 g preserving sugar/jam sugar* (the kind you use 3 parts fruit and 1 part sugar)

wash your jars and lids in hot water and line them up in a kitchen towel
peel and cut your pumpkin into 1 inch cubes
in a big pot combine pumpkin cubes and 2 cups of water and cook pumpkin on medium for about 15 minutes
meanwhile peel and cut apples into cubes, sprinkle with lemon juice so the won't brown
spoon out about 1 1/4 cups of the water you cooked the pumpkin in
add appels and cook for an additional 5 minutes
puree everything with your handblender until smooth
(you can blend it in small batches in your food processor or blender if you don't have a handblender of course =)
now add the jam sugar and nutmeg stir well
bring to boil
when really bubbly, reduce heat and cook for 4 minutes* (check perserving sugar package for instructions - maybe yours calls for a different cooking time)
fill jam into prepared jars
- use a small ladle - that works perfect for me - I never use a funnel
- fill the jars almost to the top
- immediately screw on lid and flip the jar over and let them sit on the lid for a couple minutes
- flip the jars back over after you filled up all your jars and let them cool completely

*use whatever jam/jelly sugar you like best - just make sure to follow the directions on it closely otherwise your jam might not get firm.

EXTRA TIPS:

It is best to use a pumpkin that is rich in flavor like a Muscat pumpkin 1 | 2 | 3
The apples you use don't have to be that sweet - you can use some that are on the slightly sour side. It is said that Belle de Boskoop are the best. I used whatever my dad picked in the garden.
Don't skip the lemon juice or your jam might not get firm. The pumpkin needs the extra acid to jell.
I have never tried it but I am sure canned pumpkin puree would work to make this jam as well.

Label your jars after they've cooled down completely. Make your own or print out the labels I made (English | German) on self-adhesive label paper.

Share the deliciousness with your friends and family. Or/And make yourself a delightful fall PB&J, toast or even french toast. The pumpkin apple jam tastes delicious with cheese as well - so what about a cheese sandwitch with pumpkin apple jam.

xo.
eeny

apples apples apples

2011-11-01T11:11:00.011+01:00

Have you been apple picking and still have a couple apples left? Or do you have apples from your own garden? Or do you just like apples? This is the recipe for you!

My dad just picked another big crate of apples in my grandpa's garden last week so I just had to bake some Apfeldatschi. Apfeldatschi is basically yeast dough sheet cake topped with apple slices and either a nuts and sugar mixture or streusel (crumble). It is a favorite in my family - specially around the time when we pick our own apples in the garden.

To show you the two different kinds I made both. This time I made the Apfeldatschi in my small pie dishes. Usually I just roll the dough out on a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment paper to serve a big crowed =)

For the dough (enough for 1 cookie sheet or two 9 inch pie dishes):

2 cups flour
1 pkg active dry yeast
1egg
1/2 cup milk
3 tbs butter
3 tbs sugar
1 pinch salt

in a sauce pan warm milk and melt butter and sugar in it
cool down too lukewarm and sprinkle with yeast - let sit for 5-10 minutes
in a large bowl combine flour, salt, egg and milk and knead by hand or with your mixer with the dough hook attachment - knead well.
cover bowl with a towel and let dough rise for about 1 hour or doubled in size.

Assemble your Apfeldatschi

now it is time to preheat the oven to 180°C | 350°F.
line your cookie sheet with baking parchment paper or grease your pie dish.
roll out dough

For the topping:

4-8 apples
(depending on the size of the apples and how thin you want the slices)

Peal apples, cut into fourth, remove core, slice and lay slices on dough
(on the cookie sheet cake I lay them in rows and on the round cake I lay them in circles - the apple slices look like scales when they are all lined up =)
now sprinkle with your desired topping

Nuts-Sugar Mixture:

4 tbs ground hazelnuts or almonds
4 tbs sugar (white or brown)
1 tsp cinnamon
butter

Mix ground nuts, sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle on top of the apple slices
cut little butter flakes and sprinkle on top

Streusel:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup flour

Mix everything well with your hand mixer till it is all crumbly - add more flour if it isn't crumbly enough
sprinkle it on top of the apple slices

Time to bake:

bake in preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes
Serve warm!

EXTRA TIPS:

You can also sprinkle some raisins on top of the apple slices
Or what about some almond slivers mixed into the nut mix
Instead of apples you can also use plums - but you might sprinkle the dough with breadcrumbs to soak up the extra juices or it might be a little soggy
You can use your favorite sweet yeast dough recipe if you want
(my mom actually never uses one - just the rule of thumb, that's her way to make yeast dough)
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and you'll feel like in heaven, I promise

Looks like a lot of work but as always - it is not.
The worst part is pealing and slicing the apples - at least for me as I just don't like doing it. Just a personal thing I guess. But it is worth it. Really! Give it a try and you will see. Or come over to my house and I'll make one for you.

xo.
eeny

PS: Have you seen this on my Instagram? Hopefully I get around to post the recipe tomorrow. Still have some printables to design for you to go with it. Already excited? =)

my day

2011-10-25T18:32:00.001+02:00

I had a wonderful birthday on Sunday. I always wanted to have an Alice in Wonderland inspired tea party for my birthday and that's what I had this year. So fun. Loved it. And so did my guests. I had my entire family and a couple of friends over for afternoon coffee/tea, and later for dinner. We were about 25 people.

The party was awesome. It was worth every single second of preparation. Like I told you in my last post I baked 5 cakes, cupcakes, cookies and petites fours on Saturday. I was in the kitchen baking for 13 hours straight + a couple more hours on Sunday morning. Puh, was I exhausted that night. But I enjoyed baking and decorating everything. I really did! (Thanks mom for taking care of dinner.)
So here is what I made for my guests:

A Marty cake, a bee sting cake, a berry pie and an apple pie, a Schmand cake, a Black Forrest cake (decorated with real roses on top - you can see it peeking out on the bottom left picture), vanilla cupcakes with pink rose frosting, mushroom cookies and white rabbit cookies and petites fours. I baked every cake in an 18cm (7 inch) spring form/pie dish as I wanted everything to be petite. Everyone loved it and so did I.

And of course I had some Alice in Wonderland tea party inspired decorations.
See...

On the counter where I had set up all the cakes I decorated one end with a couple of my grandma's cups and saucers and a coffee pot, a couple vintage keys, playing cards, cupcake candle holders, a cupcake sugar jar, little hearts, the top hat my grandpa wore on his wedding day with a pink scarf tied around, a big glass jar for the cookies and some ivy. On the other end I placed the bouquet of red and white roses I got from my mom and a couple playing cards, a little cup with daisies and a bottle of pink lemonade sirup.

Oh and I made little tags with »Eat Me« for the jar of cookies and my étagère and »Drink Me« for the bottle of home made pink lemonade sirup.

In the center of each table I decorated some ivy, a couple playing cards, little hearts, cupcake candle holders on a saucer with cute little doilies and daisies in little tea cups.

And I made a garland with tissue paper pom poms (thanks again for the diy, Connie) and hung playing cards in between the pom poms.

Thanks again for everyone who joined my tea party. I had a wonderful time and you made my special day extra special.

And a special thanks to my dear friend from the US who gave me this. I've always wanted it since I saw it for the first time. It is the prettiest book ever. And another special thanks to my friend who read this post and decided to give me the original Disney's Alice in Wonderland movie on DVD. You are the best!

xo.
eeny

PS: And guess what the party soundtrack was? Almost Alice, of course. =)

a breakfast

2011-10-24T14:02:00.015+02:00

As I couldn't sleep in on my birthday because there was still a lot of baking and decorating to do, I slept in the day after my birthday. Plus I treated myself with a yummy breakfast in bed while watching Alice in Wonderland (the old Disney one). I had toast with raspberry yam, a mushroom cookie and a big cup of coffee. Great start into the second day of my new year =)

xo.
eeny

entirely bonkers.

2011-10-20T22:13:00.001+02:00


\| pic via Disney \|

Have I gone mad? I'm afraid so. I am entirely bonkers.

Isn't it totally crazy to bake 5 cakes + cupcakes + cookies + petits fours for my Alice in Wonderland Tea Party inspired birthday party on Sunday? At least I scratched macarons off the list.
Oh and wait, there will be dinner as well. Ahhh...!
I really am entirely bonkers.

But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
Right?

Back to making party decorations.
xo.
eeny

lunch.

2011-10-19T18:33:00.000+02:00

A couple days ago I had nothing in the fridge for lunch. Just breakfast stuff - eggs, butter, milk, jam... but I was in the mood for something savory. So I went for a hunt in the freezer and found some puff pastry and spinach. Yeah! So I fixed some little spinach pies. So easy so quick - you know, that's what I like. I made them in my souffle dishes/ramekins - not the little one - I have some bigger ones I usually use for crème brûlée.

Here is what you need for 4 mini pies:

4 puff pastry pieces, thawed for 10 min.
1 cup grated cheese
4-5 tbs Schmand or cream cheese
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups spinach, thawed and drained
2 tbs flour
salt/pepper (about 1 tsp each)

preheat oven to 200°C | 390°F
grease 4 ramekins and line them with the puff pastry
mix remaining ingredients well
pour spinach mixture into ramekins
bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes
let them sit for 5 minutes before serving

TIPS:
If I can't wait for the puff pastry to thaw, I put it in the oven for the first couple of minutes while preheating it =)

I am sure there will be more mini spinach pies for lunch in the future.
Do you have any easy recipes with stuff you usually have at home?
xo.
eeny

sky.

2011-10-14T20:18:00.000+02:00

I love the sky.
Or let's even put it that way - I am a bit obsessed with the sky.
Since I was a little girl I loved just laying there and watch the clouds drift by, changing their shapes on the way. I still love it. It's so relaxing.

Have a relaxed day.
xo.
eeny

who knows

2011-10-11T10:11:00.024+02:00

| drawing by Kurt Halsey |

I went to Berlin for 3 days with friends and the only 2 pictures I took were of my Starbucks frappuccino and a box of Dunkin' Donuts.
When I was in London I got locked into a park with my friends - no one told us they lock the park gates at 10pm.
I got pooped on by a pigeon on Saint Peter's Square in Rome.
I can't stand birds - and I hate snakes even more. Seeing snakes on TV or even just on pictures gives me nightmares. I wake up in the middle of the night and have to jump out of bed and shake my comforter out.
I only get up if the last digit on my alarm clock is 0 or 5 - yes, for excuses to stay in bed for a couple more minutes =)
There are a couple movies I can watch over and over and over again and never get bored of. Sometimes I even watch them and watch it again with the comments on.
I love »Alice in Wonderland«
The old movie has been my favorite Disney movie ever since I was little (the videocassette is totally un-watchable as I watched it probably one billion times) and the Tim Burton movie is simply awesome. Oh and I love the book as well.
I am obsessed with New York City - oh, wait you knew that, right?
I love airports - they are always the beginning of great adventures.
I wish I could play the piano and the violin. And I am seriously thinking about taking piano lessons.
It is more likely to get a text back from me than that I answer my cell phone.
I have a hard time asking for help - I want to get my things done by myself.
Sometimes it ends with failure. Big failure. Big disastrous failure.
I like the number 13 - it is a lucky number in my family. My parents even got married on a Friday the 13th.

Guess that's all for today.
Have a good one.
xo.
eeny

2011-10-02T17:21:00.002+02:00

Pancakes and berry tea was my breakfast today. Simple and good!

Then I was up in my so called studio - painting all afternoon. It felt so good. Plus I am pretty happy with the two paintings I created. =)

Hope you are having a happy Sunday.
xo.
eeny

hello october

2011-10-01T21:14:00.001+02:00


\| pic from weheartit \|

Hello my favorite of all months. October you are here. Finally. I love you. You bring all the bright colors, twirling leaves, crisp air and rosy cheeks. Pumpkin soup, apple pie, hot cocoa and steaming tea are back with you. Hoodies, jeans and chucks come out to play again. And the best thing of all, you are my birthday month. Who doesn't love birthdays, right? So welcome October. Welcome fall. You are finally here after all.
xo.
eeny

dampfnudeln

2011-09-28T20:04:00.000+02:00

I thought it is time for another German recipe.
Dampfnudeln are a typical southern German dish and even though Dampfnudeln look and sound like a dessert, they are served as a main dish. Basically they are yeast dough rolls baked or cooked in a closed pot. While baking/cooking they get caramely on the bottom - which is the best part =) They are served with Vanilla Sauce.

Dampfnudeln
(makes 7)

1 1/4 cups milk (+ 1/2 cup extra)
4 tbs sugar (+ 4 tbs extra for the caramel)
1/3 cup butter (+ 4 tbs extra for the caramel)
1 pkg active dry yeast (2 tbs)
3 1/2 cups flour
1 pinch salt
1 egg

in a sauce pan warm milk and melt butter and sugar in it
cool down too lukewarm and sprinkle with yeast - let sit for 5-10 minutes
in a large bowl combine flour, salt, egg and milk and knead by hand or with your mixer with the dough hook attachment - knead well.
cover bowl with a towel and let dough rise for about 1 hour or doubled in size
preheat oven to 200°C | 395°F
In an enameled dutch oven I melt about 4 tbs butter and mix in 4 tbs sugar
divide the dough into approx. 7 equal pieces, roll them into little balls and place them in the dutch oven next to each other and let them rise for 10 min.
poor 1/2 cup of milk over the Dampfnudeln and close the lid
Bake for 25-30 minutes - the milk should be soaked up.
Serve hot with vanilla sauce

Homemade Vanilla Sauce

2 cups + 9 tbs milk
4 tbs sugar
2 tbs starch
4 egg yolks
1 vanilla bean

slice vanilla bean open, scrape out the vanilla seeds
in a small sauce pan mix 2 cups of milk with vanilla seeds and add the vanilla bean as well
bring to boil
in a small bowl mix starch, 9 tbs milk, sugar and egg yolks
add mixture to boiling milk, stir constantly, bring to boil and let cook for a couple minutes still steering constantly
remove vanilla bean
Serve hot with Dampfnudeln

TIPPS:

You can also cook the Dampfnudeln on the stove for about 25-30 minutes on medium to low heat. But don't open the lid for 20 minutes - just DON'T!
You can also use a large non-sticky pan with a lid to cook them on the stove
Leftover Dampfnudeln make great breakfast rolls - so yummy with homemade jam or Nutella =)

Hope you like my recipe.
xo.
eeny

mail mail mail

2011-09-27T17:26:00.002+02:00

Don't we all love getting pretty letters in our mailbox? Not just bills and advertisements? Personal letters or handmade cards? For me it is like a present every time I receive one as it shows me that someone thought of me and put effort into sending me something special and personal.

I used to have a lot of pen pals all over the globe back when I was in high school. I got a personal letter in my mailbox almost every day and I loved it. But it got less over the past years as everyone started to write emails or facebook messages. I try to send out cards to my friends on their birthdays and a couple special cards just because I think of someone special every now and than. Oh and I make x-mas cards to send to friends and family every year - and I hand write a personal message on each and every one of them.

So when I read about the »52 Weeks of Mail« challenge on my friend Danielle's blog, I instantly wanted to participate. How hard can it be to send out one letter or card a week? Plus I love making cards, so this is perfect!

Starting October 9, 2011 I will send out a letter/card a week to a friend or family member.

Want to play along? You can find some more information here and here and here.

Want to receive a letter/card? Email me your mailing address and don't forget to check your mailbox every once in a while =)

Can't wait to get started - it might be possible I will already mail out a letter to someone special this week.

Happy writing.
xo.
eeny

my decision

2011-09-26T09:11:00.002+02:00

| pic from weheartit |

I made a decision at the end of August.

It felt right at the moment I made it. Not thinking about all the consequences. It turned into almost everyone thinking I made the biggest mistake of my entire life without knowing anything about the background of my thoughts.

It felt so wrong after thinking about it for a couple days but there was no way back. I was at a dead end.

Last week it turned into something even worse. A dead end, a deep hollow ahead and someone I thought was on my side and giving me a second chance, pushing me down.

Falling down, my whole life was was running through my head.
I thought I failed big times - bigger than big times.

Suddenly I realized I wasn't alone. There were people who care, people handing me a parachute, people who want to catch me - and they did. They told me that I did things right - not everything but a whole lot. And it is in the nature of human being to sometimes fail but there are second chances in life if you decide to get up after you fall and sometimes accept help from people who care.

I came to realize that there are ways back up, even from deep down. After a couple more days thinking about everything and talking to some awesome friends, it feels more like if I fell into clear fresh water, cleaning every burden off of me.

I wasn't happy at the point I was before even though I was talking myself into it. I was just pretending I was happy.

Now I realize I wasn't doing a lot of things I really loved lately - not enough and the way I used to. It feels as if I lost my passion, my creativity, my love for being crafty. I made some things here and there but not the way I used to before and I actually had to force myself into it. I need that part of me back in my life. I need to find time for my creative outlet again. I need to craft, paint, draw, design, bake, cook, read, etc. ... again. There are so many things I love doing and have neglected because I thought I had no time. But the point is I need to do those things to balance myself out. To make me happy.
Getting back to blogging already feels so good.

I steered myself into a wrong direction. I came to a point which I thought was a dead end but actually was not. I failed in directing myself into something awesome. But failure is a detour not a dead end. And sometimes it takes a detour to see the beautiful happy things in life again.

Off to a fresh start.
eeny

sunday morning - rain is falling...

2011-09-18T20:39:00.000+02:00

Sundays are my favorite.
Today I woke up to rain knocking on my window - but you know what, I didn't mind. There is no better excuse than rain to watch movies all Sunday afternoon.
But of course I started my with a yummy Sunday breakfast - dutch baby with looooots of sirup, peaches, a coffee and some Sunday tunes just like this one.

Other things I did today:
Lunch with my sweet grandpa
»How to train a dragon« with my favorite 6 year old
»Clue« - winning 3 times in a row
Plum crumble pie
Talk to my sweet little American friend who just turned 9
Relax
»What happens in Vegas« - watching it right now

Awesome Sunday.
xo,
eeny

midnight snack =)

2011-09-15T22:00:00.000+02:00

I was craving some carrot ginger coconut soup the other night. It is one of my favorite soups ever - so creamy. It just happened that I had everything on hand that I needed. I skipped dinner that night as I was home alone and was busy working on a design project for a friend of mine. So why not go for a little midnight soup snack.

Here is what you need for 2-3 servings:

1 small onion, chopped
3-4 carrots, cut into cubes
1 medium sized potato, cut into cubes
1/2 tbs fresh ginger, minced
2-4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 pkg coconut milk (200ml)
1tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

in a medium pot heat olive oil and cook minced onions til translucent
add cubed potato and carrots and minced ginger, cook for a couple minutes while stirring occasionally
add coconut milk, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 5 minutes
add hot veggie or chicken broth ( I only add 2 cups as I like my soup really thick - add more if you like a thinner soup) and cook until carrots and potatoes are tender.
puree soup with hand blender, in a food processor or blender
add salt and pepper to taste
serve sprinkled with fresh parsley
Enjoy while watching your favorite movie - optional =)

Hope you will give it a try and like it as much as I do.
xo.
eeny

another sunday - another breakfast

2011-09-11T12:21:00.001+02:00

Good morning sunshine...
I woke up this morning as the sun tickled my nose and turned on my sunday morning tunes. Just lying on my bed listening to music, fell the warm sun rays on my face and thinking about a sunny sunday ahead made me happy. So I crawled out of bed with a big smile on my face and made myself a delicious breakfast. On the menu today was Hefezopf with nutella and plum jam, a boiled egg, a humongous juicy peach and a latte macchiato - enjoyed outside on the deck in the sun. So good and relaxing. Best way to start a day. I am still sitting out there while writing this. ♥

Hope you are having a happy sunny Sunday.
xo.
eeny

9.10.11 at 12

2011-09-10T12:00:00.006+02:00

Good morning little blog of mine,

it is your 2nd birthday today. Can't believe it is already 2 years since I have created you.
It has been two awesome ones. Sometimes I have been neglecting you because real life sucked me in, but you know I love you anyway. I love sharing recipes, my Sunday breakfasts and all kind of things here. I love all my readers and their sweet comments. I love that I made a couple great friends because of you, my little blog... And right now I feel like I am back in the swing of blogging more frequently again. So you can expect new things to happen =)

Happy blogversary, little blog of mine.
xo,
eeny

PS. @all my readers: thanks for sticking around and your sweet thoughts. You made my days. xo.

| pic via weheartit |

thai chicken with cashew nuts

2011-09-05T20:46:00.001+02:00

I love asian food, it is usually so quick and simple. Today after work I was craving some thai chicken with cashew nuts. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook which is perfect after a long day at work.

You need (2 servings):

2 small chicken breasts
1 hand full of cashew nuts
1 hand full of snow peas
1 red bell pepper
3 green onions
1 tbs oil
1 tsp corn starch
3 tbs oyster sauce
3 tbs soy sauce
5 tbs water
sugar
mie noodles or rice

roast cashew nuts in pan or wok (no oil!) - take them out and set aside.
wash and cut bell pepper, green onion, snow peas and chicken breast into bite size pieces
add oil to pan and roast chicken for a couple minutes
add vegetables to pan/wok and roast for about 4 minutes while stirring. Add cashew nuts.
mix corn starch, water, oyster sauce and soy sauce well and add to pan, stir and let cook for a minute.
season to taste with sugar - I usually don't need any extra seasoning like salt or anything - the soy sauce and oyster sauce are salty enough.
serve with mie noodles or rice

TIPP:

Like it spicy? Add a red chili, minced.
Add any veggies you have on hand. Sometimes I add broccoli flowers, carrots cut into juliennes, mushrooms, ... anything I can find.

Enjoy cooking.
xo,
eeny

2011-09-04T12:20:00.001+02:00

Today I had pancakes for breakfast. I love pancakes. Well, who doesn't? I topped them with whipped cream, blueberries and sirup. So good.

And you know what, I hand picked every single blueberry in our - actually my grandpa's - garden yesterday. I think they are so much better than store bought bluberries. =)

Hope you are having an awesome Sunday.
xo,
eeny

it's been a while

2011-07-31T10:25:00.000+02:00

I just had semolina pudding sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar and some home made plum jam for breakfast. Soooo good!

Have an awesome Sunday everyone.
xo,
eeny

from my iPhone

2011-07-29T11:08:00.003+02:00

I went through my iPhone pictures the other day. Here are some favorites for you.

1| simple popeye spinach pie - a favorite in my family. Recipe from Marta.
2| there was a storm rolling in on Friday when I was on the way to the grocery store.
3| had a delicious dinner by the lake with my parents the other day - best Italian pizza ever
4| another favorite in our family - petite vanilla bean scones. Recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
5| favorite after work treat - ice pops
6| love this jean chair - i definitely have to have one
7| at work - coffee keeps me running
8| peach and blueberry pie and blackberry pie - my favorite!
9| home made funnel cakes - great memories
10| pretty roses bringing a smile to my face every time I spotted them
11| coffee and chocolate cookies while writing my final thesis
12| home made soft pretzels - a new favorite to bake. Recipe from Hilary.

Have a lovely day.
xo,
eeny

red and white stripes

2011-07-28T07:00:00.005+02:00

Today I am in the mood for a maritime look.

So I would wear this from my dream closet today...

... a red and white striped shirt
... a red silk scarf
... a black/navy jacket
... blue jeans of course
... brown flip flops or high heels

... red ball ear studs
... my key necklace
... aviators

... a brown smokey eye
... nude lips - as usual =)
... red nail polish

... and of course my navy blue Longchamp

What would you wear today if you could pick anything?

xo,
eeny

broccoflower cheese soup

2011-06-27T12:12:00.003+02:00

Sometimes I am just in need for a quick lunch or dinner for myself. This is one of my go to recipes. It is simple, I usually have everything at home and it is delicious.

Here is what you need:

1 cup chicken broth (you can use vegetable, instant,... anything)
4 tbs cream or half & half
1 slice of American cheese
1 tbs + 1tsp all purpose flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups small broccoflower florets (fresh or frozen)
salt & pepper, to taste
shredded cheese, to sprinkle on top

In a small pot mix chicken broth, cream, flour (make sure there are no lumps) and turn heat to medium/high.
When mixture is luke warm add the slice of cheese and bring everything to boil - stir constantly.
Now add the broccoflower florets
Turn heat down to low and let simmer until broccoflower is tender (approx. less then 10 min)
Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve with a slice of toasted bread and sprinkled with shredded cheese

Extra tip:
Instead of broccoflower you can use broccoli or cauliflower.
Spinach is delicious as well. And why not sprinkle with crumbled bacon.
Be creative!

xo.
eeny

PS: Do you have any recipes that serve 1 or 2? I'd be happy to have some.

the cherry on top

2011-06-24T14:22:00.004+02:00

At the beginning of this month one of my best friends got her little baby girl. I am so happy for Lu and her husband. As I can't visit her right now because she lives all the way in Michigan, I sent here a little package and made a card for her. I am in love with that cherry design paper. Isn't it so cute?

Here is what the card looks inside:

On the first page - the smaller one - I wrote the little baby girls name with sticker letters in red and on the last one I jotted a personal note for my friend Lu and her husband.

The quote is one of my favorite ones to use for cards like those:

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to offer our children.
One of these is roots, the other, wings.Cecilia Lasbury

And off it goes...

... with a little present - wrapped in the same color scheme of course because that's the way I roll. Everything has to be matchy that's what the little perfectionist in me tells me. =)

Another friend of mine will have a baby boy in September.
Any recommendations what to give her?

xo.
eeny

nutella and strawberries - awesome combo

2011-06-23T17:54:00.001+02:00

It is a holiday here in Germany today - which just calls for a holiday breakfast, right? Especially as I haven't posted a Sunday breakfast for the last 2 Sundays.

Today I was in the mood for some Pfannkuchen with Nutella and fresh strawberries and - as you know me - a coffee to go with them.

I posted the recipe a while back - find it here!

Have an awesome day.
xo.
eeny

a piece of cake

2011-06-12T20:51:00.000+02:00

I had some left over Marty cake from yesterday, so my decision what to have for breakfast was super easy this morning =) Who could say no to a chocolate covered cake and a cup of coffee? And can you tell I bit the right corner off before snapping this pic? =) I just couldn't resist.

How is your weekend so far? I am having a great one.

Yesterday one of my best friends was over at my place. Her cute little almost one year old baby boy is just so darling. He always has a big smile on is face specially when he is up to something he knows he is not allowed to do - like picking leafs off plants =) So so cute.

Yesterday night I was babysitting my 3 little friends and we had a fun games night with popcorn and lemonade. And like always there where the cutest conversations happening when putting them down to sleep. Sometimes I just wish to be 5 ... 6 again.

Today was very low key. I was reading outside on the deck and had a "Eiskaffee" with my parents later. Have you ever had a German Eiskaffee (= ice cream coffee)? Is it Germany anyway? I don't know for sure. It is a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream in a glass with cold coffee and usually whipped cream on top. So goooood.

And the best thing is, this weekend is not over today. There is a holiday here in Germany tomorrow - Whit Monday. I love long weekends. Who doesn't, right?!

Have an awesome rest of the weekend.
xo,
eeny

italian style

2011-05-29T14:49:00.000+02:00

What about an Italian style breakfast?
That's what I had today. Scrambled eggs with basil, dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Prosciutto di Parma and ricotta cheese. Oh and I intended to have a ciabatta roll with it but I forgot to get one while grocery shopping on Saturday so I opted for a bagel with ricotta cheese =)

How to make Italian style scrambled eggs:

2 eggs
1-2 tbs ricotta cheese
6 leaves fresh basil
4 small dried tomatoes
1-2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 pinch freshly ground pepper

Mix everything well in a small food processor. (You will probably not need any salt as dried tomatoes are usually salted and that's plenty of salt)
Render a couple slices of Prosciutto di Parma in a large pan. As they are not like "regular" bacon you might need a little olive oil to not burn them. Remove them from pan.
Now add your egg mixture and scramble... well, I guess you know how to make scrambled eggs, right? =)
Serve with slightly crushed Prosciutto di Parma on top and with ciabatta, toast or even a bagel with ricotta cheese on the side.

Have a great Sunday.
xo,
eeny

i would wear...

2011-05-23T07:36:00.001+02:00

Guess the little rebel in me wants to come out and play.

... so this is what I would wear today:

... a pair of used looking jeans
... a skull shirt and a studded leather jacket
... either a pair of red heels or black chucks
... studded leather bracelet and black bangles
... my beloved black onyx studs and my key necklace (I always where those)
... black wayfarer shades
... a black leather bag

... black nail polish
... red wonder woman lipstick (yes, today I'd even be brave enough for that)
... a really dark smokey eye with black gel liner

... and of course my red iPod with "She's a rebel" on way too loud ;)

Alright, I am off to paint my nails black and see what I can find in my closet for the rebel in me.

xo,
eeny

| put together on polyvore |

before the rain storm rolled in

2011-05-22T14:03:00.001+02:00

On the breakfast menu today were heart shaped pancakes with fresh strawberries and a little dollop of whipped cream. Mmmhhh yum yum yum!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.
xo.
eeny

sunday once again =)

2011-05-15T10:30:00.006+02:00

Those weeks are flying by way too fast right now...

Today I had a toasted bagel with cream cheese, a bowl of mango, cantaloupe melon and strawberries and a caramel macchiato. Great start into a hopefully great Sunday.

Have a good one.
xo,
eeny

sunday again

2011-05-01T14:46:00.000+02:00

Today's breakfast was yummy - as usual =)
A toasted bagel with mango-chili cream cheese and scrambled eggs with mushrooms and a little bacon. Oh and of course a cup of freshly ground coffee.

Have a sunny Sunday.
xo,
eeny

spaetzle

2011-04-26T11:30:00.031+02:00

Swabian Käsespätzle

Recently I was asked for my Spätzle recipe on my Formspring. I finally got around to make some this past Friday. As I don't know who it was who asked me I really hope she or he will step by and find it =)

Do you know Spätzle? Have you ever had them?
They are basically egg noodles. A typical (side) dish in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol and Alsace. Usually they are served with meat and gravy or as in my picture as Käsespätzle (= Cheese Spätzle - the Swabian way of Mac & Cheese =)

Oh and by the way, "Spätzle" means "little sparrow" which we use to say like "darling".

To make Spätzle you just need basic ingredients like flour, eggs, salt and water. Everything everyone usually has on hand, right?

There are different ways to make them. The original way is to scrape the dough off a wooden board - which I never tried and probably never will. The more common ways to make Spätzle is to use a Spätzle maker. There are different kinds you can use - the Tupperware Spätzleria, a Spätzle maker, a Spätzle lid or a Spätzle press. The first 3 of them make Knöpfle-Spätzle which are shaped like the ones in my picture (short and more "roundish") and the press makes thin long shaped Spätzle. In case you have non of the above equipment on hand you can use your potato ricer or a regular big hole colander. I know that sounds so complicated but as usual - it is now, I promise!

My grandma taught me how to make Spätzle, she never used a recipe - she always "measured" the ingredients by the rule of thumb. But she gave me the following recipe (minus the semolina) when I asked her for it. My mom taught me to add some semolina to the dough - she usually does 2 tbs - but last time I made Spätzle I went for half a cup and the turned out divine.
So here is my recipe for you.

Spätzle
You need:

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 semolina (if you don't have any just use an extra 1/2 cup flour)
1tsp salt
1 cup water (maybe some extra if dough is too firm)
4-6 eggs

Add flour, salt, semolina, eggs and water to a big bowl and mix with a hand mixer using the dough hooks (of course you can also use your kitchen aid =). Mix til dough is smooth and gooey.
Let it sit for as long as it takes you to get out a big pot, fill it with water, bring it to boil, add salt (as if you would cook regular pasta)...
Now it is time to bring out the Spätzle making tool - scrape or press your Spätzle into the boiling water - it has to bubble otherwise you will end up with one big clump of dough. Gently stir and let them cook for as long as it takes for all of them to come to the top of the water. Use a skimmer to get them out of the boiling water and place them in a bowl. To prevent them to cool but the bowl into the oven turned on on very low (my lowest setting is 50°C so that's what I use).
Repeat!
Stir the Spätzle before serving or even sway them in a big pan with some melted butter.

Serve them with a roast and gravy, Goulash, Geschnetzeltes (meat cut into stripes, mushrooms, and a cream gravy), any other sauce/gravy... just like pasta.

Check out this lovely lady making Spätzle in 3 different ways. She speaks German but I think you get the idea.

Käsespätzle
To make Käsespätzle you make Spätzle just as in the recipe above. Sprinkel cheese in between every layer of Spätzle in your bowl in the oven. Originally use "Bergkäse"- you need a strong flavored cheese. Top everything with fried/roasted onions.

If you want to go extra fancy with your Spätzle - you can add some flavor to them by adding different kinds of herbs to the Spätzle dough. Basil, parsley, spinach, bear's garlic (My parents love bear's garlic Käsespätzle), ... be creative. Just chop/grind a couple leaves and add to your dough. Or what about some paprika?

I hope you like the journey into the Swabian kitchen.
xo.
eeny

happy easter

2011-04-24T10:32:00.007+02:00

| pic found here |

the end of hibernation - the beginning of something great

2011-04-23T11:35:00.006+02:00

Yesterday I finally woke up my blender from hibernation. I totally forgot about frozen fruit blended into a glass of goodness. I was in heaven once again.

I just threw...

about 2 cups frozen strawberries (add ice cubes if you use fresh strawberries)
1 lime, juiced
a couple mint leaves
1 tbs sugar - totally optional

...into my blender, covered it with water and blended it well.
Done! Easy peasy ~~lemon~~ lime squeezy! It made 2 glasses so I generously shared with my dad =)
Guess I am going to have an other one right after finishing this post... so now!

xo.
eeny

my love

2011-04-22T17:30:00.000+02:00

I am totally obsessed with the cherry tree in front of my window. I just love that tree. It is huge and pink and has a gazillion of pretty blossoms - and most of all - it always brings back lovely memories.

xo.
eeny

2011-04-19T08:00:00.007+02:00

About two weeks ago I was asked on my formspring about my everyday breakfast.
It usually looks like this: coffee and a soft pretzel (sometimes with butter). Pretzels are the best. I love them. Always have - always will. =)

Have a great day.
xo.
eeny

2011-04-18T10:10:00.003+02:00

On Sunday I made some vanilla bean scones for my family. Oh my goodness, they were heavenly. I have never had scones before. Always thought they look so boring. I regret that big times. They are everything but boring. Everyone loved them - even my grandpa said: "That's something very delicious!" He usually doesn't say much only if it really is extra special - like panna cotta and scones now. Thanks grandpa for the compliment =)

I know, now you are waiting for the recipe, right? Guess this time I have to send you over to one of my favorite food bloggers - Ree better known as The Pioneer Woman. So here is the recipe for those delicious Petite Vanilla Bean Scones. I made them exactly like the recipe told me to. The only thing I changed was, that I probably used a sixth of the glaze and just poured it over in stripes. They were done in no time.

Give them a try and let me know if you liked them as much as I did.
xo.
eeny

2011-04-17T17:41:00.000+02:00

Today I made breakfast for my parents and me. Pancakes, coffee (for me), tea (for my parents), boiled eggs, rolls, honey, jam, cheese, ham, ... It was delicious.

Hope your Sunday is sunny as mine.
xo.
eeny

2011-04-10T13:34:00.000+02:00

On the breakfast menu today were pancakes, sliced oranges and a latte macchiatto. Simple but oh soooo good.

Have a sunny Sunday everyone.
xo.
eeny

make me cool

2011-04-05T21:49:00.002+02:00

Finally arrived... I got my Sigma Make Me Cool Brush Kit all the way from the US in the mail today. Aren't those brushes just pretty in aqua?
I was looking for some affordable brushes that don't lose bristles like crazy like my old ones. So I searched the web and everyone and their mother recommended Sigma brushes (and Mac of course). I am so excited to try them tomorrow. I hope they really are that good. What kind of brushes do you use?

Can you see the nail polish peeking out behind the brush holder? It is my new favorite. I couldn't resist getting it as soon as I read the color name: Cotton Candy at Eiffel Tower. Isn't that the prettiest name ever? Pretty names just get me every time. Does that happen to anyone else or is it just me?
Anyway the nude pinkish color is just perfect for every day. You know what's perfect as well? It was only about € 2,50 ($2,80) - great deal, right? Not like o.p.i here in Germany that costs about €14 ($19,50). I just don't want to spent that much on nail polish as I am never able use it up before it starts to try out and get clumpy. I'd rather buy cheaper ones and use a good quality base. That works just fine for me.

Alright, I am off to clean my brushes before using them tomorrow =)
xo.
eeny

Update 3-7-11: I love my Sigma Brushes... they are even better than expected. =)

2011-04-03T15:16:00.001+02:00

This Sunday morning I felt like having scrambled eggs with bacon and toast and a delicious cup of coffee while flipping through my favorite catalog "Impressionen".

Hope you are having a sunny Sunday.
xo.
eeny

PS: I know the bacon looks burned but it was not - guess it's just the picture.

no one knows

2011-03-29T10:10:00.002+02:00

I eat my oranges sliced like in the picture above.
Last thing I do before I sleep and first thing I do when I wake up is checking my mail, my google reader and my facebook on my iPhone.
At private parties, I hardly ever eat any cake I don't know who made it.
I have about 10 cookbooks I never cooked anything from because usually I bring my MacBook or iPhone to the kitchen with me and cook from online recipes.
I never had a pb&j or a pb&banana sandwich in my entire life - I don't like neither peanuts nor bananas.
I once made it through IKEA without buying anything. at. all. Only once!
I hate when people touch my hair - there are only two people in the entire universe who are allowed to do so - my stylist and my sweetheart.
I can't stand canned fruit - it only tastes like sugar to me, it has nothing to do with the real fruit flavor. One exception - I like canned pineapple on this - maybe because it reminds me of my childhood. =)
And speaking of flavors - artificial grape flavor is the worst flavor in the universe *yuck*
I only drink water throughout the day but I need a soda for dinner.
I love buying books and I love hanging out in bookstores but I don't read at all lately.
If I read I only read books in English even though I am German - oh and I watch my movies on DVD in English.
I never finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows even though I loved the whole Harry Potter series - I just didn't want it to end. I have about half the book left to read.
I always write things on my to do lists that I have already done just to be able to start crossing off something right away.
I was class winner in physics in high school. Is that embarrassing?

There are more but I save some for later =)
xo.
eeny

2011-03-28T10:10:00.003+02:00

| pic via weheartit |

2011-03-27T16:49:00.000+02:00

Some simple pancakes with lots of sirup, coffee latte and fresh oj - what else do you need on a rainy Sunday morning? The only thing missing is a little sunshine.

Hope you are having a great day.
xo.
eeny

2011-03-20T11:00:00.004+01:00

I had a glazed Streusel and a coffee latte for breakfast today.

Have you ever had a Streusel? It is one of my favorite German pastries to get at the bakery but I never made it at home. Even though it should be soooo easy to make. It is only a flat yeast dough bun with lots and lots and lots of crumbles on top and either glazed or dusted with confectioner's sugar. Got to try it soon and of course share the recipe with you =)

Have a relaxing Sunday.
xo.
eeny

german hefezopf

2011-03-13T17:05:00.112+01:00

Today and a couple Sundays ago I had Hefezopf (braided sweet yeast bread) for breakfast and now it is finally time to share my recipe with you.

Here is what you need for the yeast dough:

3 cups all purpose flour (+ 1/2 cup extra)
1 pinch salt
1 cup milk
5 tbs sugar
5 tbs unsalted butter
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 egg
(about 1 cup raisins - depending on your liking =)

To brush your braided Hefezopf you need:

1 egg yolk
2 tbs water

In a small saucepan combine milk, butter and sugar and melt over medium heat - don't forget to stir. Heat until lukewarm and butter is melted.
Sprinkle yeast on top of warm milk-butter-sugar mix and let it sit for a couple minutes.
While waiting measure 3 cups flour into large bowl and add a good pinch of salt (my grandma always said that's what makes the difference)
Oh and if you like to add raisins - add them here =)
Now add milk and 1 egg to the flour and mix - either with dough hook or with your hands - be aware it might be sticky first! You might need some extra flour - add little be little until dough isn't sticky anymore but still smooth. Kneed by hand and but it back into the bowl. Cover with tea towel and let sit in a warm place for 1-2 hours.

While waiting you can read your favorite blogs or magazines, play with your little ones, take a nap, call your bestie, dance to your favorite music, sing your little heart out ... or whatever you please.
Time to braid the Hefezopf now.
Alright first you have do decide how you want to braid your Hefezopf:
3 strands, 4 strands, 5 strands, 6 strands or even 12 strands.
I usually go for 4 strands while my mom goes for a simple 3 strand Hefezopf.
After braiding put it on a baking sheet covered with baking parchment, cover it with a tea towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 175°C | 350°F and bake for 30-35 minutes.
After 20 minutes brush the Hefezopf with a mixture of 1 egg yolk and 2 tbs water.
Cover with aluminium foil if it gets to dark.
Test with a wooden stick if it is baked inside.
Let it cool on wired rack.

Enjoy!

I like mine with a little unsalted butter, jelly/jam, honey or nutella. If it gets a little dry after a day or two it is perfect for french toast.

For questions feel free to ask.
Happy baking.
xo.
eeny

2011-03-13T16:10:00.001+01:00

Yummmmmy Hefezopf with butter, honey and raspberry jelly, fresh oj, coffee and a boiled egg... that's the perfect way to start a Sunday. Don't those Hefezopf slices look like little clouds? =)

Yesterday I finally got around to bake a Hefezopf so it just had to be on the breakfast menu today.
I will post the recipe later today - after I got myself another cup of coffee =)

Have an awesome Sunday.
xo.
eeny

2011-03-06T14:22:00.022+01:00

Another breakfast with my parents today =)
Delicious breakfast rolls with raspberry yam and smoked ham, a boiled egg and a coffee latte was on the breakfast menu.

Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Sunday.
As for me I am just relaxing as I am not feeling so well. I still couldn't get rid of that silly cold that keeps hunting me for weeks now. Sometimes it is like it is all gone but the next day it is back again. I am feeling tired all the time and more often than not I can hardly breathe. I have no clue what to do anymore. Have an appointment at the otorhinolaryngologist on Thursday - hopefully he knows what to do.

xo.
eeny

2011-02-27T13:20:00.004+01:00

On the breakfast menu today: home made Hefezopf french toast with raspberry jelly and a caramel macchiatto. Yumm yumm yummmm =)

Do you know the German Hefezopf? It is a sweet yeast bread made out of flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar and yeast and there are usually raisins in it. And it is braided with 3 dough pieces (some do 5 or even 6 like the Challah bread). Everyone uses their favorite sweet yeast dough recipe so it is kind of different in every house. My grandma and my mom never actually used/use a recipe, they just made/make it off the top of their heads. My mom used to make one for Sunday breakfast almost every week when I was little. My sister and I don't like raisins so my mom usually made two loafs - one with raisins and one without raisins.

I love Hefezopf with a little butter and honey or nutella. And if there is some leftover and it is a little on the dry side I love it as french toast with some jelly or sirup.

Hopefully I will find some time to bake one soon and share my recipe with you.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
xo.
eeny

i would wear...

2011-02-23T07:07:00.003+01:00

... I feel like wearing some red today.

... as you all know, I love NYC and why not show that with my I heart NY shirt
... jeans are always my preferred leg wear =)

... the black cardigan is a must have in my closet
... as it is cold my red scarf is perfect to keep my neck warm
... my key necklace - still a daily
... red stud earrings I got from my grandma

now on to my dream closet clothes/items
... that leather jacket would be great to own - but I guess I'll sport my black down coat
... that Prada bag - oh to die for
... black Louboutins - no way to walk in those and un-affordable anyway - but a girl can dream, right?
    Guess I'll go for some black boots too keep my feet warm in that nasty cold

make-up
... o.p.i big apple red nail polish - to keep the red and NYC theme going
... daytime smokey eyes
... black eyeliner with my new favorite - gel liner
... nude lips - check out Marta's How-To-Series for how to wear a nude lip
(I am not brave enough for red lips - I guess I will never be)
... False Lash Effect Mascara

... Be Delicious by DKNY - to round up the NYC theme =)
    (I actually have the green one - but the red one looked better in the picture =)


What would you add to your outfit today if you owned it?
xo.
eeny

| put together on polyvore |

great start

2011-02-20T12:48:00.000+01:00

I just had a nice breakfast with my parents.
Yummy rolls with ham, tomatoes, a boiled egg and coffee. Always nice to enjoy good food together with lovely people.

Have a wonderful Sunday together with lovely people around you.
xo.
eeny

vanilla + raspberry = heaven

2011-02-19T23:50:00.000+01:00

I found my new favorite cupcake today - well, the vanilla cupcake has always been my favorite as you know. But the raspberry mascarpone frosting... oh my, it just makes it more perfect.

I think I wrote about it here a couple times - frosting is just not my thing to make! I tried a million recipes so far but none of them worked for me. But today I found the one that actually turned out perfect. The best thing is - there is no butter involved in that one.

Vanilla Cupcake

I used my favorite recipe from the Magnolia Bakery.

Raspberry Mascarpone Frosting

200g fresh or frozen raspberries
+ extra fresh ones for decorating
1 tbs lemon juice
100g confectioners sugar
2 sachets Dr. Oetkers Whip it (Sahnesteif)
250g mascarpone (I used light mascarpone)

thaw raspberries if using frozen ones
purée raspberries and strain through a colander
mix with lemon juice, sugar and 1 sachet of whip it
whip mascarpone with 1 sachet of whip it
mix raspberry mix into mascarpone mix
fill frosting into piping bag and pipe onto cooled cupcakes
(I actually put the frosting in the piping bag an put it in the fridge for a while as my cupcakes weren't cooled completely - I have no idea if it did anything to the result though =)
sprinkle with some fun sprinkles and decorate with some fresh raspberries

Next time I want to use blackberries or blueberries or strawberries... yum yum yum.

What's your favorite cupcake?
xo.
eeny

valentine's treat

2011-02-14T20:59:00.000+01:00

I just treated myself with a Valentiny hot chocolate and a delicious Mazarin cake.

After that night and day I think I deserved it. I finished my paper and presentation a little after 3 a.m. last night. Oh what a night... But my presentation went well today and I even got some stuff done for my last paper ever - my final thesis - afterwards in the library at the university. So I thought after this hard-working day I deserve a little treat. Before driving back home I stopped at IKEA... whooohooo! I got some picture frames for my Kurt Halsey prints, some small tea light holder glasses that I actually want to use as little dessert glasses for Panna Cotta for my uncle's and my mom's birthday parties and a new cereal/soup bowl for the office. On my way out I just had to stop at the Sweden Store for some little treats for myself. Have you ever had those little Mazarin cakes? Oh my, they are too good. They go perfectly with a Valentine's Day hot chocolate. Yummm yummm yummm...

See the little heart shaped hot chocolate on a stick in the picture above - I made those and send them to a couple sweet friends for Valentine's.

Want to make some for someone special? They are super easy to make.
You need:

heart shaped praline mold
2 bars of Lindt's 70% chocolate
a dash of powdered chili or cinnamon or vanilla or ginger (optional)
a couple wooden sticks (Popsicle sticks work best but I only had some regular wooden skewers)

Melt chocolate slowly in a double boiler.
Be careful not to overheat chocolate or it will have white "stains" after it cooled
Add flavor. Just add little by little and taste test the mixture. ... be creative... I used some chili this time. My favorite is cinnamon and ginger together but I thought it was too Christmasy for Valentine's.
Fill melted chocolate into mold.
Slightly tap mold to counter top to get out possible air bubbles.
Let it cool for a little while till the chocolate is still soft but hard enough to hold the stick in place.
Let cool completely and remove from mold.
Wrap each little heart with plastic wrap, tie with some red twine and add a cute little message.

Not too hard, right =) And a cute little gift for every occusion, don't you think?

Alright, I hope everyone of you has a lovely Valentine's day with your loved one(s).
xoxo.
eeny

another sunday breakfast

2011-02-13T10:10:00.004+01:00

A quick breakfast today... just a bowl of Zimz cereals with milk while watching Monsters Inc. in bed.

I wanted to keep it low as I have so much to do today. I have to get my next to last paper for university finished today. Have to hand it in tomorrow and hold a short presentation about it in front of my professor and a couple other students. After that I am officially in my last semester and hopefully get my degree in summer. Oh, did I tell you that I signed my contract and am still working at the same company as I did during the last 6 months? So I am writing my final thesis within that company. And there even might be a great opportunity for a great job position afterwards. Let's see what will happen.

So anyway, I thought I will kick-start the day with a fun movie and some cereals before getting to work =)

What are your plans for this Sunday?

Have a wonderful Sunday and a lovely Valentine's Day.
xo.
eeny

colors of a night sky again

2011-02-07T22:33:00.001+01:00

That's what the night sky looked like through my window yesterday. Wasn't it just beautiful?
The moon was out as well - not pictured though =)

xo.
eeny

PS: Remember this ?

2011-02-06T16:17:00.000+01:00

I shared some simple pancakes with my mom today... plus we had coffee latte to accompany them =)

My pancakes recipe

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp of salt
2 tbs melted butter
3/4 to 1 cup milk
2 eggs

mix everything well
and I guess you know how to bake pancakes, right? =)

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday just as I do with spring weather.
xo.
eeny

chocolate heaven

2011-02-01T12:12:00.006+01:00

Have you ever had Jamie's Chocolate Tart form his cook book Cook with Jamie??
Oh my gosh, it is the best chocolate tart ever - but it sure is a death by chocolate kind of pie =) I had it at my friends birthday party for the first time and I have to admit that I didn't believe her when she told me that you can only eat one small piece because of it's chocolaty richness. I am a chocolate addict, how could it be possible to only have a little piece, right? Even though I was in chocolate heaven within the second I took the first bite it is impossible to eat more than one piece. But it is worth every single bite of it. Heaven - I promise you!

I made it for my family on the weekend and we all were in chocolate heaven on a big fluffy chocolate cloud =) There is only one simple rule to follow for the ingredients - use the best chocolate you can get your hands on. And on simple rule to follow for eating - enjoy every single little bite of it.

Are you craving some chocolate tart or at least some chocolate right now?

xo.
eeny

PS: Want the recipe - shoot me an e-mail, I'd be happy to share.

make the best of it

2011-01-31T07:03:00.003+01:00

Just a quick quote on Monday morning.

Have an awesome start into the new week.
xo.
eeny

2011-01-30T17:03:00.000+01:00

Today's breakfast was a roll with black truffle paté, some goat cheese, fresh oj and a caramel macchiato.

I just realized that I have had rolls for breakfast quite a lot lately on Sundays. It always depends if I have breakfast with my parents or alone. My parents prefer rolls or bread with butter, jam, honey, cheese or sliced ham, coffee/tea and boiled eggs for breakfast - a typical German breakfast I'd say. I am more a pancakes, dutch babies, french toast, scrambled eggs, oatmeal or cereals kind of girl - on the weekends. And during the week it is usually cereals at home or a pretzel and a coffee in the office - if I am extra fancy its a croissant and a coffee =)

What's your favorite food for breakfast?

Hope your Sunday was/is magical.
xo.
eeny

i would wear...

2011-01-24T07:30:00.003+01:00

... this to work today
... if I could choose from my dream closet =)
... if I hadn't lost my glasses =(

... I will actually wear
... the Thomas Sabo bracelet with a cute angel wings charm
... the black onyx ball studs I inherited from my grandma
... the key necklace
... blue jeans
... my grey cardigan
... a black and grey striped shirt
... warm boots as it is freeeeezing cold outside
... my handmade dark grey scarf
... and my black down coat
... no glasses (see reason above)

Have a great start into a new week.
xo.
eeny

2011-01-23T14:09:00.000+01:00

My breakfast was simple today... a ciabatta roll with butter and raspberry jelly, mango - passion fruit juice and a caramel coffee latte.

Have a wonderful and hopefully sunny Sunday.
xo.
eeny

the first one in a year

2011-01-18T21:09:00.014+01:00

... can you believe it?? Yes you read that right - one year! This was the first Starbucks coffee since January 2010! I have an confession to make - I am actually a Starbucks addict but I can't feed my addiction that often! So it was just a must to make a Starbucks coffee stop in Stuttgart for a Caramel Frappuccino on my way to my friends place. Oh it was so good. And of course I made another Starbucks coffee stop on the way back to enjoy a Java Chocolate Chip Frappuccino.

Call me crazy to just post about Frappuccinos and being excited about it.
Being a little crazy is a good thing. Try yourself and you will see. =)
xo.
eeny

2011-01-16T23:16:00.009+01:00

This was one of the best Sunday breakfasts in a looooong time... not only because I had delicious apple pancakes with Nutella, OJ and coffee but because it was a Sunday breakfast with the bestest of the best friends you can ever imagine.

I spent Friday to Sunday with the best bffs you can possibly have. We don't see each other a lot but when we meet we always have a blast. We met as Au Pairs in the US and build memories for a lifetime on our adventures in the States and we became the best friends anyone can wish for. Our "meetings" always contain a lot of catching up on what happened, lots of chatting, a couple rounds of "Therapy" (our favorite board game), dinner at an American Diner, late night talks, little sleep, looooong breakfasts, reminiscing about every adventure we had together and just enjoy being around each other. Always some of my favorite days every year.

I hope your weekend was as awsome as mine.
xo.
eeny

PS: Can you tell I am obsessed with my ShakeItPhoto App lately? =)

2011-01-09T14:38:00.000+01:00

My breakfast today was toast with fried egg - sunny side up of course - sprinkled with flor de sal and parsley - and some thinly sliced black forest smoked. Oh and not to forget some freshly ground coffee.

I can't believe how fast this last week went by. It was actually just 3 work days - one holiday "Holy Three Kings Day" - and one day off and there was the weekend. And now this weekend is over too. Time is running too fast. Don't you think so too? But it was a great week for me. I saw some of my favorite little friends, watched some fun movies, worked on a secret project for my little sis, had a delicious lunch with the family and my grandpa - who loved my panna cotta (I need to share the recipe with you soon), slept in, had a long conversation with my bestie, ... and lots of little things that made me happy. Hope you had a happy week as well.

Have a happy Sunday.
xo.
eeny.

possibility

2011-01-05T00:51:00.001+01:00

Yay, I just found out today that I have another 3 vacation days for this month. Hooray! So it might possibly be possible to see my sweetie after all. It made may day - no, actually it made my whole year! Oh my, I am so excited again. I want to dance in circles and jump around and scream.

January will be an amazing month after all:

Seeing my sweetie - who I miss sooooo much
Seeing one of my best friends for the weekend - who I usually only see once or twice a year
Seeing my favorite little baby boy - who is the cutest baby with the most beautiful eyes
Signing my new contract - big deal for me of course
Maybe planning a trip to NYC and a visit to my US family for spring break - which is so overdue because I miss those lovelies a lot as well

Can this month get any better? It started so blue for me but now it is going to be so colorful.
I am so happy. Hope you are too.
xo.
eeny

2011-01-02T18:11:00.001+01:00

This Sunday breakfast was supposed to be a Sunday breakfast for two. I wanted to share my love for little dutch babies with the boy. But fate wasn't on my side this time... it didn't happen. Remember that I was so excited to meet him? Well, some things happened and we couldn't see each other. As you can imagine I am feeling rather blue because of that. I miss him so much and all I want is to be with him. I was waiting for those couple days together for soooooo long. I am hiding in my little universe ever since. Everyone is so excited about the new year and is happy - I just can't handle that right now. Well, I am excited about the new year as well, but right now I am just not happy. I guess everyone knows how it feels if you have everything planned out in your head and then it just doesn't happen. And it is just you and your thoughts of what could have been. Always thinking - oh, right now we could have done this - we could have been there - ... I know there will be some time soon to see him, I just know that. Just have to keep telling me over and over again.

Anyway, tomorrow I will be back to work and I know there will be tons of work waiting for me, so I will be distracted during the day. I guess that's just what I need.

I hope your start into 2011 was a fabulous one.
xo.
eeny

happy new year

2011-01-01T13:11:00.025+01:00

I wish all my sweet readers a very happy new year full of love, joy, laughter, health, great times, encouraging words, great opportunities, awesome adventures, lovely people, bestest friends, bubbling creativity, dreams come true, wonderful surprises, magical moments... and absolutely everything you can only imagine. And I want to thank you for stepping by my little universe and being so sweet, leaving comments and sending e-mails that made my days. You are fabulous. Thank you.

xo.
eeny