Quick post to tell you that yesterday I made this amazing Spinach- Feta gluten free pie from Green Kitchen Stories. And that made me think that It was a long time ago I talked about for my favourite food blog. Actually, just when I was starting to do this blog and I was taking a course on wordpress. And this was more an assignment than a thought through post. This time, I want to say a little more:This was so simple to do. This is partly why I love this blog so much. Recipes are easy, they taste like they look and you usually don't need thousands of ingredients. Plus, all recipes are vegetarian, mostly gluten free and generally very healthy. And they often give a vegan alternative too.Green kitchen stories started as a blog with lots of recipes. It's a really cool couple who runs it, David and Luise respectively from Sweden and Denmark. Luise is qualified as a nutritional therapist so you can trust that the recipes will be good for you.They have since then released several cookbooks. All with beautiful photographs and recipes. But the best I find is their app. It's one of the best I have. It exists in several languages. The explanations, the list of ingredients, all that is great. And you have a timer included in the recipe steps. What else? You can usually find all their recipes on the blog anyway. The one for the Spinach and Feta pie is here. I also really like this butternut squash feta pie that my friend Marianne cooked once. I also really loved this aubergine curry and these spinach crepes. Their youtube videos are just genius. And beautiful!Now I'm off to make their Shakshuka for dinner. Bon appétit!
Easter in the Morvan - Part 3 (Plateau de Bibracte - the end)
Third part of our amazing Easter week in the Morvan. If you missed part 1 and part 2, here is a link to the region. We went on a trip to the famous (in France) plateau du Bibracte. The site is an archaeological park but it's on top of a mount. And it's at the centre of a forest under protection. Plus, it's so magical, it almost feels like a imps and elves wood. Or Narnia maybe. Isn't the view magnificent? And they have the prettiest installations made to go with surrounding nature. Ceramic pots with holes to make music with the sound of the wind:There was also long strings where pieces of woods were hanging, making some amazing music too:And how about these white branches in the middle of the wood? It's a bit artificial but it looks amazing. Plus, it's very respectful of the Environment:Also, you can find old archeological areas and those kinds of old structures:Overall, the kids and I found the forest of beech trees pretty magical. It felt like imps could appear from anywhere. And each trees seemed to have an entrance to some sort of magical world:Overall, this has been an amazing holiday and much needed break. One of my obsessions during the week has been to try to take those magical blowing dandelions pictures. Mostly failures but here are some outtakes (aside from the ones in the previous posts):Bye bye Morvan. For now!
Easter in the Morvan - part 2 (Portrait of my children in 2017- four)
Second part of the Easter in the Morvan series. There will be a third! It is also the fourth "Portrait together" of the year. This one is all about the egg hunts in the garden. So for once it's a a little mix of them together and the chocolate frenzy part too. I have had little inspiration lately as my mind was focused somewhere else. But now I'm back and hopefully, I'll have great ideas for the portrait series. But first, chocolate. First the hunt:She looks unhappy but actually, they had quite good catches I would say:What do you say? I think there was a bit of a chocolate overload but it didn't show too much in their behaviour this time. Growing up? Yes. And way too fast!And so that leads to a bit more of the portrait series:This was more posed than usual. They were too excited about eating all the treasures from the hunt:And for something completely different: we did the same as last year with egg natural dyes and flowers. We used blueberries, red cabbage, red onions, turmeric and beetroots. The best were the blues. The recipes I used are in the blog post from last year. I just pre-cooked everything this time and let the eggs soak over night but if you want to have different shades, just leave them at different time rates. I used tights to stick the flowers. If you wet them a little first, it will then be easier to put the tight over. The blueberries and red cabbage ones are always the best I find:(Spotted: Lily painted one of those eggs in black and glitter)
Easter in the Morvan - Part 1 (introduction)
We spent Easter in the Morvan for the third time in row. Last year was good but short. This year, we stayed for a week in my mother's summer house and it was a bliss. My sister and her husband were there with her kids too. Quite a rare treat to be all together. The weather was amazing and all the trees and flowers were in blooms. I discovered the area a bit more and would like to show you (it might take a few posts though). Ready?Morvan is a small mountain in Burgundy but it's less glamorous than its vineyard famous neighbour. Nonetheless, it's a regional protected parc and it's beautiful! We came during a flowering time that I have rarely seen before and I was quite impressed with the variety and beauty.I even managed to snap a last minute magnolia bloom and join the frenzy that went on in my favourite social media:My mum planted some beautiful ones in her garden too. And we had lunches, local organic strawberries and lots of outdoor activities for the kids (not pictured: tree climbing, fishing, family and friends hangs) :And my brother in law built brilliant bows and arrows for each of the kids:We also could gather so many pretty bouquets:And go for long walks where I really discovered the gorgeousness of this small mountain (and now be ready for a big photo flow):Wasn't that beautiful? I have so much more I would like to show. So I'll make a couple more post and distill them in time. And hopefully you will appreciate them more that way... Let me know!
Woodland reveries (Portrait of my children in 2017- three)
I have to find where to take my photography. I have always loved looking for the light and I am always eager to learn more. When the ordinary becomes magic in a picture, it makes my heart skip a little. Robert Schumann said : “The artist vocation is to send light into the human heart” and I'm hoping to reach that stage at some point.In the meantime, taking baby steps, I was suggested by an amazing coach to take my children into a fairy tale story. Because, yes, I love fairy tales (Im making my coming out here). They take you to places, they make you see the world in a different way, they bring the light and the magic. Also, they tell you about how the world and our lives actually are. You learn a lot with them. But in a beautiful way. Just like photography.So why not doing the 3rd monthly portrait project as a fairy tale? Creatures of the woods, half real, half magic. Seeking each other, transforming into fairies, ice queens or animals. Something about Narnia. And my kids just said yes.He was a prince, but then also a wolf. She was an ice queen but then also a woodland fairy. Let your imagination wander. There is always a moment in the story when things get scary. But there is so much magic in the woods...And the reverie starts again, the fairies fill the place:The prince disappeared into the forest to reappear again as a wolf in our garden, but the little fairy snow princess wasn't afraid. On the contrary, she wanted to play.I dont think she realised that there was an angry wolf behind her. Probably because he isn't that angry. And also, she can manage. She believes in magic!They are always cute when they sleep.But also when they smile. Friends in dreamland."Some day you will be old enough to read fairy tales again" C.S. Lewis. It's time!Maybe one day I'll photograph your kids and make some magic too. What do you say?
Finally found the best slippers: mocks for women
I have been on a (very important) quest for the perfect slippers/indoor shoes (for me). For what seems like for ever. I wanted something that I found both pretty and comfortable. Also, they should keep my feet relatively warm in the winter without making them sweat. Because thats the kind of feet I have (cold and sweaty, I know, lucky winner). I also wanted to be able to use them like if I'm walking bare feet but in fact I'm not! Believe me, I tried many before from the ugly versions to the least comfortable. To the ones that actually gets ruined in the space of a few weeks of use. Then a hope formed when Petra, the person behind the shop mini mocks posted on her Instagram account that she might make a version of her beautiful mocks for adult.You know those mocks that you buy for your kids that are so beautiful and comfy (and they usually start walking in them)? Yes, those. But for women! Couldn't wait!I have been following Petra for a while. I like her style and her mocks even though my kids were too old to wear them. She built everything herself with her business and is using the most ecologically friendly materials. And all the other products are nice, clean and beautiful too. If you still have young children, I suggest you have a look at her website!I had to be patient but the idea of the mocks for women recently came to life. I bought them straight away. They are just everything I expected. I don't want them to leave my feet. I almost wish I could walk outside with them too! This post isn't even sponsored. I wish it was but this is how much I love them!They exist in three colours: white, black and blush. It was hard to choose!This is the first time I praise a product like that (there might be more to come, who knows) and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't happy about it! Plus: I met Petra a couple of times and she is a really nice person. I'm sure she puts her heart and kindness in her products.So if like me, you have been on a search, try them. And even if you were not, I warmly recommend them!
Junibacken in Stockholm, the ultimate museum playground for kids
A quick post to tell you that if you are in Stockholm with young children, you have to visit Junibacken! During the last holidays, I took Lily tothere. We hadn't been for a while although we used to take the kids there at every Stockholm visit! It's a lovely and very playful museum.It's dedicated to Astrid Lindgren but also Swedish children literature in general. It all started with a storybook train from the Astrid Lindgren novels. I love this train so much, I think I could almost go there on my own to re-watch it. I'm dreading the fact that it might have been the last time I went with Lily.The rest of the story of the museum you can read on here. The place is overall amazing. It's the most kids friendly ever. Pram garages outside, theatre plays for kids, great bookstore. Lots of playground areas based on Swedish famous children literature. And aside from the train, there is a giant reproduction of Villa Villekula, Pippi longstocking's house. Inside you can find a giant slide and lots of different play sets.Overall, many places to play! Usually, there is an exhibition on a theme related to famous children's book character. The last one was about the mummins. I also remember a full playground on Elsa Beskow's whimsical world. They moved the playground in the airport. How amazing!There is a nice place to eat with a view on the sea as the museum is on the island of Djurgården. It's all about a circus theme so colourful and playful. And the food is ok, mostly healthy and lots of organic options including on the juices and candies front!And then you can go outside and enjoy the surroundings (even on a snowey day) or the many other museums on the island. That's maybe for another post!And of course we took the boat back home, breaking the ice!Here are the contact details if you wish to go there and you can check on their website (which is mostly in Swedish):JunibackenGalärvarvsvägen 8115 21 StockholmOtherwise, just drop me an email and I'll give you all the tips and information you need!
Winter visit to Artipelag
Artipelag is a great place I mentioned before when I was doing the 52 project. We went there last September. It's a museum in the middle of an amazing setting. You can spend time wandering outside and then go inside for the exhibition. And their brunch is also very nice! We liked it so much that we decided to go and see it every seasons! If you click below you can see how it looks like in the winter. And if you manage to reach the end, there is a little movie that I made for my instagram account. The scenery when you arrive at the trail to get to the museum is beautiful. I really love discovering a place that has that feel even when it's not spring or summer. Which are definitely my instinctively favourite seasons! You have such beautiful views in that area. And when there isn't many people, it's so relaxing too! Smell of pine trees and sea, sound of birds and wind. What else?And again, the frozen sea is an amazing experience:I did tell him not to go though (despite the millions pictures I took):Despite the wet foot, we had a great time:The exhibition that was on that time was from Lars Wallin, a Swedish haute couture designer. Lily loved it. It was quite an impressive collection of dresses, pictures and drawings. It wasn't exactly my style but it was a great show:And some more takes:The end of the trail to go back is also glorious I thought:Here is a little movie from that time there (plus some more ice skating from the day before):If you are in the area, check out the links to Artipelag and go see it. In the summer, you can take boats from central Stockholm there. It's totally worth it! We will definitely be back in the spring.
Portraits of my children in 2017- two
Second portraits series for the year. I did the first one in January and as I promised, it's once a month instead of once a week. It's more posed this time, but it was equally fun. . We will go with the flow.They are proposing too which makes it quite fun. There might be less posing and more colours. If you want to see them in some ways or another, make proposals, we are all ears! (outtakes (many) below of course)All the poses are actually their idea. I only just slightly direct them about the light. Just so you know. We also tried something else. But it was less good:We liked it less, so they came back to the original idea:Eliott had to place a Dab, stopped ultimately by his sister:And sometimes they might (but only ever so slightly) want to shoot the photographer too:As a little bonus, portraits taken during the month of February that have nothing to do with this session:
A frozen lake bliss in Lidingö part 2
Remember last week, when we went to a frozen lake In Lidingö? And the weather was grey and cold (and snowing) ? Well, we went back with our skates and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I even made a little movie again for instagram. It will be right at the end of the post. If you want to check, click below!People living on the island of Lidingö are usually very found of outdoor activity. And that day we spent on the lake was a proof: a lot of its inhabitants just take their skates out and spend the afternoon (if not the day) there. We also did it. We took our skates (the kid's ones), some hot chocolate and some muffins and went for a second time of bliss.There are pretty houses around that lake called Kottla (and pretty posh ones too).And we had a little pit stop to have some muffins and hot chocolate just by one of these houses:Also, that lake is pretty magical. Even when there are a lot of people, it feels like one owns it:So cool that only here can you find the cool hipster dad skating on the lake with their vintage prams:And there was even solidarity between my children:Of course not as good as when they did the heart thing:And not as good as those guys with the pram:If you manage to read up to now, Bravo! Here is the little movie I made that day:I hope it will stay frozen for a few more days so we can enjoy it again!
A frozen lake bliss in Lidingö
A giant with a small head or my daughter on her father's shoulders?I haven't shown you much of where we live (or did I? maybe through my kids portraits, yes!). But the other day we went near our friend's home by a lake. That same lake we swam in during the summer. And it was surprisingly, to me, all frozen. We were not prepared for this. We had no skates or anything. But I found it pure magic (and scary at the same time) to be able to watch it and walk on it. Want to see some pictures and even a little movie? Click below!Enchanting, isn't it? Lidingö has been pleasing me in so many ways with nature. Living by the sea and having a lake in the middle of the Island, what else?And there is a nice walk to do around the lake too!It's impressive and beautiful all at once.Even the way back home was quite of eery. I mean, the weather was really quite bad. Snowy and grey and rather cold. But still. I loved it!I even made a little movie (as I do every week-end for Instagram):We came back with skates, so... to be continued, maybe!
A little week end in Paris
We spent last week-end in Paris to celebrate Christmas with my family a month later. Half grey/half colourful. With moods, ups and downs, sun and rain but we got together again. And even had a great feel of Paris. If you click below, you can discover a new bakery and some hidden Parisian treasures as well as some portraits of Eliott and Lily of course! We went to the Georges Pompidou center and saw Cy Twombly exhibition:The view is amazing, even if you wouldn't like the exhibitions, you can just go for that!Paris has seen the growth of many types of patisseries and bakeries lately. Some more specialised than others. Some more worth it than others.I discovered thanks to my mum a new bakery that is worth mentioning here. It has less sugar and tastes amazing. If you ever pass by Paris, go and check Yann Couvreur and taste his "eclairs au chocolat", it's beautiful and subtle at the same time.Another thing I love in Paris is the variety of markets. So of course we went to buy some fresh and sea food (especially the things I miss so much when I'm up north!)This lady thought she would look horrible and said sorry many times, but I think she looks really good!There was also a small flee market by my parent's place. I wanted to buy everything there:I like where my mum has moved in Paris because it's full of hidden alleys, wall art and quirky gardens which is quite unusual for most of the city:And a few more of course!Time flies in such a week-end and reunions are sort of bittersweet. Good but short. Hope you all have a good week!
A little bit of Thailand part 3 (the end)
If I post more pictures of Thailand, it's a bit like we are still there, right? We are currently in the process of recuperating. Not only of Jet-lag but also from a bug we caught when we got back. Winter is ok. I'm fine with it. But oh, Thailand was so good. So I kept a few pictures and the three "week-end memories" films I made for Instagram. You can watch it all by clicking below!I promised you movies, so here they are. The first film corresponds to the first blog post:The second week-end, corresponding to the second blog post:And the third part, introducing you to the pictures you'll see after if you still have the courage:I have said it before, the weather wasn't always with us. After we had two full days of rain, some blue sky finally showed up. It was stormy and windy but the light was just amazing:We ate in a restaurant on the beach. We had to walk on the beach from our hotel to get there. Koh Kho Khao is such a beautiful island.Overall, we spent a lot of time by our hotel but it was such a great place:They were so nice, they even gave us the best room of the hotel for the last couple of days. It had an outdoor little pool and a great view on the beach:Evening were great and warm. Despite the lack of sun, we always had such a cool air.And for our last night, we had the best sunset possible:Amazing light, right?And then Lily gave us a little show. That will close my post!And a last one for the road:
A little more of Thailand Part 2
Here comes the second part of our Thailand trip. As I mentioned before, the weather wasn't always with us. Just like the air hostess on our trip back put it : " I have been in Thailand every year for the past 15 years. This time was the worst weather ever!".We did enjoy ourselves totally though. And went to magnificent places. Thailand is such a vibrant place. Click below to see more!We decided to escape the rain in Koh Kho Khao where we were staying and pay a visit to the beautiful Phan-Nga bay. We had an amazing boat trip around it. It's totally magical even in cloudy weather. We also had the chance to go to the Island called "James Bond". The name is due to a duel scene of the movie " the man with a golden gun" between Christopher Lee and Roger Moore. We did some canoeing and more boat ride.We also went to a fishing village that was originally built by Indonesian immigrants. So much life in there. Such an experience for the kids.The cafe they go to before heading fishing:We also visited a school there, they have a football pitch on pilotis!Last part of our trip was for visiting a temple with a giant buddha. I can safely say this was a full on day:Of course, there will be a part 3 to this trip. An amazing experience overall.I hope this gives you a bit of warmth on these cold days!
Portraits of my children in 2017- one
This year, I'll be taking portraits of them together. Probably once a month or maybe more. I'll try to make them all in black and white. Or not. There should be outtakes too!
A little more of Thailand - part 1
We are having a terrific time in Thailand despite the (very) unpredictable weather for the season. I had already posted some picture in my last 52 project post. So here is a little more. There will be a 3rd part coming soon.If you care to check, you can click below.I have a thing for long tail boats and you will see many pictures of it.We went on a trip to an Island called Pha. The tiniest thing you have ever seen. It was entirely devastated by the Tsunami 12 years ago. But they managed to use it touristically anyway. You go snorkelling first and then you have lunch on the island. And we had the Island almost for ourselves:A lot of fishermen around. Kids went fishing with us while we were snorkelling. Different priorities.Always with a book in his hands.He recently read the entire French series called Manoir: And we also went to a busy market in Khao LakWe stayed on an Island called Koh Kho Khao. Ideal, if you ask me. It's quiet. It has beautiful beaches. But still a lot to do around if you wish so.The beach near our hotel was almost for ourselves every day. I'm dreading recommending it as it might spoil the place. I'm therefore hiding the name of our hotel from this blog, haha.We didn't have much sun in fairness. Especially for the season. But when it came, it was quite a party!To be continued...
52 project: a portrait of my children every week 52/52!
E: Not so crazy anymore about this project but up for continuing L: Still not crazy about it but not really up for continuingDo you remember when The 52 project all started? Exactly a year ago! You can click here to see what a difference a year make! I'm still unsure what is going to happen next week. If I will do a monthly portrait instead of a weekly one. Or stop completely. The sure thing is that I'm very happy I made it and I'm very thankful for all of you who followed along the way! Happy new year everyone! (if you want to see a few sneak peaks from Thailand, click below ;)) Hope you enjoyed it and see you soon for some more or something new!
52 project: a portrait of my children every week 51/52
L+E: Smile, it's the annual Christmas picture!51 week! Just one week left of the 52 project!! Amazing. What will I do next year? I have a week to reflect on that. It'a very time consuming project and I would like to take time for other projects too. Maybe I'll keep it shorter. In the meantime, don't hesitate to help me take a decision if you think I should keep it or not! This week was all about Christmas of course. But not a white one. Instead there was even some funny spring feel...We had some nice walks beforehand:And then it was time for a photo session before Christmas all started:Christmas is good, I always like all the little traditionsAnd s'more:And a moody weather:Have a happy week everyone!
52 project: a portrait of my children every week 50/52
E: Tired but the break is almost there L: Tired, but loving the iceskating place, alwaysLast weeks of the 52 project! Only two left, it's quite amazing! One can feel it's the end of the year. We are stretching it until it's finally the long awaited Christmas break. It's nice here at the moment. But it's also tough to take lovely pictures and pretend the world is ok. We are in our little bubble, in a protective way but we are aware.Lots of winter activities and when it's sunny, wow, the light is unbelievable! You can skate in town outside the rink when it's so icy:The windows of NK are usually very nice:But the best is definitely to ice skate. So nice to do it in town:Stockholm by night ain't bad either:But when the sun is out, we are having some wow moments:Going for a walk by the sea on those days are the best:It looks like it's at last 6pm but it's not even 3pm...:Eliott and the Swan:Lily and the swan:A hot chocolate:And s'more:All at the same time (and no filter!):Have a good week all!
52 project: a portrait of my children every week 49/52
L+E: cosy insideIt snowed again during the 49th week of the year here! I hope it stays on for Christmas. It's all white and glittery outside! but this week-end it snowed a lot so there was some cosy times too.We had such a nice time in Millesgården with a great exhibition about Tove Jansson. She created the mummins, but actually so much more too. if you can go, I highly recommend it! :An then time at home:We made biscuits and Swedish saffron buns:And started decorating a bit:Plus, all that with a smile:And some more:Saunas are good after a day out! And if you want the recipe of those healthlier lussekatter, traditional for Santa Lucia (tomorrow), click here:Have a nice week!