Monday 5 March 2012

dutch spring


I hope you're having a good start of the week. I woke up early this morning and made spice loaf for the kids' lunch boxes and it felt as if Christmas had arrived in spring with all that cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger-clove smell in the house. It tasted wonderful with my coffee.

Yesterday we went for a drive west of Antwerp and drove through small villages and towns in the area of Assenede (Belgium) and Sas van Gent (Holland). It was raining mildly and there was a bit of wind so these branches on the Dutch side of the borders, getting ready for spring, weren't quite willing to stay still while I photographed them.

The film I told you about yesterday, Ladies in Lavender (2004 ), really touches the roots of the heart. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are of course fabulous together. The entire cast is wonderful and the violin music is absolutely beautiful, not to mention the countryside scenery. I can highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys films about life; if you're into action then this one is definitely not for you.

photo credit:
Lisa Hjalt

23 comments:

  1. That looks yummy! I await the "real" spring here with SO much anticipation, we have signs of it here and there. :-)

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  2. I knew you would have something beautiful to share today. :) I am very curious about that movie now. Have a wonderful day, Lisa! xo

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  3. That spice loaf looks so delicious. And a perfect accompaniment to some coffee or tea.

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  4. Ah such beauty, Lisa. I'd love to start my morning off with that spice loaf. Instead I'm sipping a green smoothie. Ah to dream. :)

    Happy Monday! xoxo

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  5. Ahh spring! Wonderful.
    Enjoy your week. Smilea loads. xx

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  6. Spring is such a great season of the year. I really like the smell of spring in the air - be it on a sunny day or a rainy day! And all the blossoming around! Here's to spring!!

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  7. These photos are beautiful. I can't wait for spring!

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  8. That spice loaf looks so tempting. Your family is so lucky to have you making delicious treats for them all the time.
    Spring is just over 2 weeks away!
    rolala loves

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  9. Must have been a wonderful sunday!

    For the moment here is not a little touch of spring!

    Only the birds twitter loudly in the morning!

    ♥ Franka

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  10. Lovely pictures, spring is coming here, also, on weekend we had some sunny beautiful days! Cinnamon-nutmeg-ginger-clove recipe is on my list for the weekend, I will let you know how it was! I do not have children, but I have a big boy addicted to sweets :)))) Have a beautiful weekend, Lisa!

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  11. Sounds wonderful! I find it amazing how you can visit a few countries in one day just by driving from one to another... I wish I could do the same. x

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  12. spiced load would make it feel like xmas!

    what a sweet time. it's lovely spring weather over here.

    i adore Judi Dench and Maggie Smith so will keep an eye out for that film.

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  13. What a wonderful day that you had with your family! Ladies in Lavender is a wonderful movie, I loved it! And that spice cake sounds delicious! Have a fabulous week! xxoo

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  14. Pretty spring images! "Ladies in Lavender" is one of my favorites...lovely story and those two Dames are cinema's finest! Have a wonderful week :)

    Lisa

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  15. This look both beautiful and delicious. That yellow is screaming Spring! Spice loaf, I think we've a similar dutch recipe... nice;)
    Thanks for the movie advice, I'm going to remember to watch that one. I watched It's Complicated this weekend for the second time, its just such a feel good movie :) Though the ending feels too open....

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  16. Gourmand et coloré, j'aime !
    See you, Nedj

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  17. Oh your spice loaf looks delicious; I love anything sweet with cinnamon + nutmeg! Your shots of early Spring are beautiful; it is such magical time of year witnessing winter slowly retreat to make way for the warmer weather xx

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  18. beautiful pics. looks like here spring is a little behind :)

    happy monday

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  19. mmm lovely spice loaf! and for brekkie... Those pictures of the blossoms are beautiful... aah, spring...
    Have a great day Lisa. xx

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  20. mmm lovely spice loaf! and for brekkie... Those pictures of the blossoms are beautiful... aah, spring...
    Have a great day Lisa. xx

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  21. I miss baking. Even more when you write about your house being filled with the wonderful scents :) I guess I've tried to avoid it because I would probably eat it all myself :)

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  22. It is so strange that you can go for a drive and visit a whole other country! What must that be like I often wonder, and now thanks to you Lisa, I now know! :)

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  23. oh that spice bread looks super yummy! and the blossom photos are just as alluring as well :)

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