you.are.my.sunshine

savory.cake

you made these savory mini cakes last week.  a recipe from a talented friend in france.  it's just a way to use of some leftover veg that sitting in the fridge....

these are made with fava beans, half a leftover carrot, leftover sausage...

mixing them together like any other cake, only to add salt and pepper instead of sugar.

a savory moment for a change.

decluttering

a need to de-clutter, to downsize the things in your cupboard

need good ideas to cook and eat with what you have in the storage

and not continue to buy

just a thought for a greener living

and many of these things are close to expiry or already expired. you just need to find a good moment to sort them all out

and do some justices with them.

alfronso.dining.dutch.way

this is just an ordinary weekend with double digits temperature and a fine sunny day.  your first terrace dining of the year. still a little windy but you can sit comfortably with the glass that manage to shield out a bit of wind

a cappuccino to start

you just fancied a pancake (pannenkoeken) meal today, this was especially true after the brief visit to the flowerland. you ordered something small, something boozy, a mini pancakes with liquor

he opt for a savory large pancake that come with ample of cheese

whilst the ham and the mushrooms hidden underneath the pancake.  the portion is generous and it's a nice bite with extra syrup on it.

alfronso dining dutch way, not too good to your sweet life...

antique.market

this's a overdue post, you went to a nearby city called delft to run some errands, but also because it's the second or third weekends where the flea market resumes this year.

a "mosaic" of the king to be and he is now officially the king of the lowland now!

in the city square, the ever stunning cathedral...

and your first stop is the fish market, you opt for some unconventional fried fish. this is called "poon" which you don't know the english translation.

and the stalls still primarily showcase the delft blue

antique silver, really pretty!

more delft blue

and many other things which would be treasure to some but junk to the other

bric-a-brac

but truly you are here to pick up some gifts and  this

a freshly made giant stroopwafel, the delicacies of the lowland... so fresh, still warm, so good!

::overflow::

a meal at your mil's place.  whenever your mil cooks, the food can feed the whole village

these food are meant to feed 6 adults and a 7-year old.  2 other dishes and a soup were not included in this photo above

you appreciate the thought of a family meal but you do against wastage of food. that said it's a yummy meal that many people may envy you, and you just appreciate her generosity.

super.bowl

you made kuching laksa last week, a treat to yourself and a treat to some friends who were visiting...

this is actually a second bowl on the day after.  it tastes even better.  a taste of home.

happy sunday.  today you just want to remember your home country in your prayer.  you pray for a fair election, you pray that peace and harmony will continue in the country, you pray that the new government will bring forth prosperity, economy advancement to the nation.

a.date.with.spring

a brief date with spring today.  the sky is blue, the air is crisps, the sun is shining and most importantly the flowers in the field are blossoming!

you missed the annual flower parade this year due to a nasty cold you had.  but you aren't going to give the tulips flower a miss.  so you seize the opportunity to indulge in the strips of colors, flower sea...

spring is the most beautiful season in the lowland.  only this year spring arrived a month later.  you are thankful nonetheless, to have the opportunity to enjoy and witness the spring.

words are beyond description, it's just the vibrant color.  that said, the tulip fields are not in their prime time yet.  not yet, give them another 2 weeks, they will shine and radiant like diamond...

you went around different patches of flower, just follow your instinct, stop wherever you feel like stoping

the wind was very strong this afternoon, that brought the 16c temperature to a much lower temperature due to the wind chill.  just look at how you dressed up.

tourists are abundant,  rented orange bikes are everywhere,  and deep in your heart you know the better seasons are coming ^^
tulip

tulips will withed after their prime time

petals will fall, the bulbs will be removed, but they will come again next year... that's just the rhythm of life

you're truly thankful for today.  thankful that you could have such a lovely date with spring!

::celebrate::

it's another milestone that worth a celebration. you just concluded the second phase of the project, after almost one year.  it's not ideal but at least you finally win the customer over to your side. there are many more iterations to come but tonight is worth a drink or two....

 your glass of chablis

 together with your team and management

 and many rounds of small bites from a rather classy bankers bar in the city area but the food is not sophisticated unfortunately.

 then again, it's london, people care more for the drinks than the food, and you have quite a number of rounds of tequila

that made a happy team, the balds, the indians and the ugly!
that said you are done with your london trip for the time being ^^!

penthouse

going, going, going up, up to the penthouse!

 not that you have an impressive skyscrapers landscape in lowland, but it's a good feeling to be up high at 42nd floor with a clear blue sky...

 your table is facing the west, that gives you a sunset view and you're expecting a romantic sunset at around 9.30pm

 a cosmopolitan to kick off the dinner

 lobster as starter...

 asparagus cream soup, this is the best dish of the night

 fish and seasonal veg

 rack of lamb with green asparagus

 dutch strawberry cream with a dash of balsamic vinegar

 this is not bad but a bit too creamy to your liking

silhouette of the ladies and the dinner was accompanied by 5 other lovely ladies, lots of laughter's, lot of giggles, lots of update, you chat from fashion to politics, random topics but fun and relaxing.