Leiden

Last weekend we went to Leiden, Holland to see the Tulips in bloom at Keukenhof. Leiden is about 25 mins away from Keukenhof by car and is connected by buses which run around every 10 mins. So it makes a perfect base to see the tulips.

Leiden itself is also really picturesque with windmills and canals aplenty, and worth visiting. It has a lovely market on Saturdays, with fresh produce, cheese, stroopwaffels, clothing and fabric (I got some pink tulle).  Small enough to wander around by foot Leiden is still big enough for a nice selection of restaurants and shops. It also has a lot of museums, but we didn't get a chance to see any of them.

 This was the canal we could see from our hotel room.

DO NOT PRESS! Installation 

Close to our hotel we saw some great art installations -This one was my favourite, who could resist a big red button and "Do NOT Press" sign....
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Birdy

Here is a little birdy for you...

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Free Shipping in Germany!!

A couple of German based Etsy sellers have come up with the great idea of holding a joint promotion to highlight the growing number of German Etsy shops. Participating shops (including mine!) are offering free shipping for orders within Germany for the whole month of March (I got in on the action a little late...).
Just use the coupon code "versandfuerumme" when checking out for free shipping anywhere in Deutschland!!

These are some of the great shops I've discovered through this initiative;

 Room For Emptiness

batisRIKE

SilberFischer

What are you waiting for - get shopping!

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Plait Ear Warmer / Headband DIY

Growing up I had a beanie or two, I used to wear them in winter sometimes. They were more a fashion statement than anything else though. It wasn't until I moved to Germany (ie a climate which has really COLD winters) that I actually "got" what the beanie was about. That is was actually a very functional accessory, necessary to keep you from getting brain freeze (which doesn't only occur from eating ice cream I have discovered!) and to stop your ears turning into lumps of ice.  Then I discovered ear warmers. The beanies little sister, when you want to avoid aforementioned ice ears but perhaps aren't feeling the commitment of a whole hat. So naturally I wanted one, but I had also just discovered crochet and wanted to make one myself. And so can you!

Step One -Choose your yarn, I went for two colours but you can do three or one...

Step 2 - Crochet three long strands using double or triple crochet -you want them longer than the circumference of  your head.

Step Four -Plait the strands. I used a peg to secure the ends while I did this.

Step Five - Sew the ends together so its one continuous plait.

Done!

Now enjoy your warmer forehead and ears!
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Cowl Neck

Here is my first attempt at a cowl scarf thingy....

It was simple to make just using granny stitches. I love how the stitches and colours came out but the size is all wrong -its too big to fit snuggly round your neck but too small to go around it twice.
You live, you learn!
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Baked Bean Pizza

I love baked bean and cheese toasties. The crunch of the toasted bread, the tomatey goodness of the beans and the deliciously gooey cheese are a perfect combination. I also love pizza (I mean who doesn't, right!) and then the other day while searching in my kitchen for something to eat I had a brainwave. Why not make a Baked Bean Pizza!!  A nice twist on two classics.

Once you've made the pizza dough (Jamie Oliver has a good recipe -the semolina gives the base extra crunch), it's super easy.
Just spread out your beans, top with grated cheese and bake like normal.
For an extra flavour boost, diced onion and ham/bacon sprinkled onto the beans is delicious!

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Munich

Last November I traveled to Munich with my husband and mother-in-law. November was cold! but there was enough autumn colour left to brighten up the city. Especially the gardens. 

The above photos are from the Englisher Garten.  The English Garden is a huge park in the middle of Munich and is named thus because it is in the "English Style". It has a more flowing natural feel than most German parks at the time it was created. Most other parks were rather formally structured like the Hofgarten  (below), with lots of paths, hedges and fences.

We stayed at Hotel Mons am Goethe Platz. For the price the hotel has a reasonably nice modern acetic and furniture. When we stayed however we found dirty curtains, mouldy showers and an unfriendly reception. We had paid for breakfast to be included. One morning while eating breakfast we were told we hadn't paid, when we insisted that yes we had, the matter was dropt but very ungraciously and with no apology for the misunderstanding.  Breakfast didn't have a lot to choose from, but what was there was good. Overall I wouldn't recommend staying at Hotel Mons.

One place I would recommend if you are in Munich is the Vietnamese Tapas Restaurant Tonkin.
It is located not far from Hotel Mons at Lindwurmstrasse 65.

It was almost full when we turned up without a booking and they happily seated all three of us, even though the only table available was a table for two. We all ordered the same dish, a curry with sweet potato and rice. We all agreed it was delicious! I also had the fresh squeezed orange juice and it was super refreshing, sweet  and delicious. The service was fast, friendly and unobtrusive. To top it off the decor was quite something special as well -especially the brass ceiling.
This place totally got my thumbs up, I wish I lived closer so I could go there again and try more of the dishes.

I didn't get any photos of Tonkin so the above two are from Gastroguide München.

xx