WANDERLUST WITH LILY-MARGARET

February Photo a Day

2012-02-10T15:58:00.003+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 10: Self portrait (with our pet chicken Tallulah)

South Africa: Safari Pt. I

2012-02-10T13:34:00.002+01:00

After a few days in Johannesburg we hopped in a van and rode five hours through the mountains before arriving to our camp at the Tremisina Lodge near Kruger Park. Like most travelers, I tried to be prepared for anything but just couldn't shake my excitement for and secret expectations of what our safari would entail. It just so happened everyone really was dressed in khakis, while seated in the a big study jeep with cameras charged and ready, waiting on baited breath to spot one of the 'big five'...but I could swear that image also included lots and lots of sunshine! Instead, our first day on safari started off with chilly winds, grey skies and you guessed it, a lot of rain. At one point the rain got so bad we lost power and almost missed out on the bush walk, but that's a story for another time.

If you're going on a safari, be prepared to spend a lot of time sitting, waiting and gazing. Looking back, I'm not sure what else I had expected to do while animal watching but wow, after 6+ hours riding in a bumpy jeep we were exhausted by days end. The cold, damp weather we experienced while heading out for our first day on safari wasn't exactly ideal...or so we thought. In the end, it was perfect because cold weather meant the animals were foraging instead of hiding in the shade from the sweltering South African heat.

After an early morning rise, light snack and a quick cup of coffee we piled into our jeep. The thrill of anticipation was one of the exciting elements of going on safari. We expected to spend a lot of time driving round and round waiting for action to change at any minute...

Thanks to the delightful weather and lack of windows on the jeep, we spent 45 minutes trying to survive brutal winds and stinging rain by taking refuge under ponchos and blankets. Fortunately, we were a resourceful group and attempted to fix the front windshield by sacrificing one of the blankets, a genius idea!

Making the most out of whatever adventures bring...

Since you never know what animals you'll stumble upon so it's best to start your day with low expectations, this way even spotting one impala (the most commonly spotted animal) will be a delight! It really all comes down to being in the right place at the right time and striking luck in spotting an elusive wild animal. As time goes on (if you're lucky!) you'll end up needing to delete loads of photos from earlier in the day after getting better shots as time passes. For once, cold grey weather worked in our benefit.

At first it my eyes were so overwhelmed with the blur of green and tan that I could have sworn every bush or branch was some kind of hidden animal but as time went on it became easier to spot what we were searching for. Before arriving to Kruger Park our driver brought the jeep to a halt, revearsed, stopped and hopped out, much to our confusion! Our group was mixed with intrigue (we couldn't spot anything) and fear (maybe a flat tire?!) until the guide reached down and picked up an adorable, brilliant green chameolian! Don't ask me how the heck this chameolian cought the eye of our guide while zipping down an empty road at 60+ mph. After plopping him in our truck, one of the German couples kept the little guy warm until we arrived and had a fun time posing with this surprisingly calm, sweet creature.

I still can't believe how lucky we were with the animals, everyone was out to visit! Check out a few more Kruger Park photos below...

And just incase that didn't satisfy your need to see wild animals on safari I'll be sharing more pictures and stories soon. Next up: Our close encounter with a heard of 20+ elephants!

Tell me, have you ever been on safari? What was your favorite memory?

February Photo a Day

2012-02-10T03:55:00.003+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 9: Front Door

Lemon + Rosemary Heart Tart

2012-02-09T14:11:00.003+01:00

Last month, I stumbled upon this recipe and the lovely pictures looked so delicious I figured this tart was bound to be tasty. So, I decided to make for a ladies night last week and it was a big hit! Sweet, tangy and light, perfect to enjoy with a glass of white wine and some girl talk.

My mom has a great recipe for lemon bars but this was my first time making a lemon tart. Let me tell you that yes, it tastes as good as it looks and was actually really simple to whip together! Using Greek yogurt made the filling less dense and the hint of rosemary added a subtle earthy taste. I think the crust could have used more brown sugar to balance the tangy zing of fresh lemon juice. You can find the original recipe here.

Baking this tart in a heart shaped dish would be a perfect homemade Valentine's Day treat for your sweetie!

There was some left over filling so I couldn't resist baking this little guy just for myself! This recipe would be great for making mini lemon tarts too, just use extra large muffin tins.

Mix this...

With a bit of this...

Bake it up nicely and dig in! (*be patient and let it chill first)...

February Photo a Day

2012-02-09T04:08:00.000+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 8: (overcast) Sun

February Photo a Day

2012-02-07T21:58:00.001+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 7: Buttons

February Photo a Day

2012-02-07T00:19:00.003+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 6: Dinner

February Photo a Day

2012-02-05T20:24:00.004+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 5: 10am
(Ladies only vegan brunch + comfort food + catching up with wonderful friends... so much fun!)

February Photo a Day

2012-02-04T21:58:00.006+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 4: Strangers

Healthy Inspirations

2012-02-04T14:47:00.012+01:00

You know how sometimes it's possible to get hooked on a randomly concocted flavor combination? Then you obsessed and before you know you've made the same breakfast for days on end? Well, welcome to my week. I've been loving this blueberry + banana breakfast combo, it's delicious and just enough to fill up before heading to yoga each morning. Having a fresh, healthy start helps set positive energy for my whole day!

I may have missed the 'official' start time but decided to take part in the Yoga Journal 21 Day Challenge. It's been a fun way to fill in my usual 4 day class attendance with some extra home practice and also inspired me to try out a few new studios around town. (Sorry hot yoga, we are still not friends.)

Plus, I'm extra excited because my new Manduka mat arrived in the post this week! Tell me, what's been inspiring you lately?

banana + frozen blueberries + greek yogurt + almond milk + pumpkin pie spice...voilà!

February Photo a Day

2012-02-03T23:57:00.010+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 3: Hands (Friday night movie time + maple sugar popcorn)

Odds + Ends

2012-02-03T13:57:00.007+01:00

Apparently, this week I was particularly hungry since all my favorite findings seem to revolve around food (that can't really come as much of a surprise, right?)

Have you ever tried a recipe for baked hot chocolate? Sounds yummy!

10 easy tips to add more vegetables to your day.

Check out some of the best cities for drinking beer? Have you visited any? I've ~~seen~~ drank my way through a few!

10 recipes with chickpeas? Yes, please!

This weekend just might call for trying my hand at home made pasta. (*I've never done this before!)

(image via...)

Do you have any special food adventures planned for the next few days?
Enjoy your weekend and bon appétit!

February Photo a Day

2012-02-03T01:38:00.003+01:00

Find out more about this month's photo fun right here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter...

Day 2: Words (finding inspiration in late night tea and cookies)

Edwardian London Through Japanese Eyes

2012-02-02T14:16:00.003+01:00

As I previously mentioned, the show Downton Abbey takes place during one of my favorite historical periods. Lately, it’s sparked a little revival, time for me to dust off a few old art history books and go through numerous google searches in a desperate need to indulge into more turn of the century novelties during the interim periods between episodes. Despite having studied my fair share of art history at university I'd never heard of the Japanese artist Yoshio Markino until happily stumbling on his colorful, soft paintings in the book Edwardian London Through Japanese Eyes. Stunning!

His watercolors exhibit European life in the early 20th century, imagine how incredible it must have been to experience both eastern and western cultures at that time! Simply put, I find these light and foggy watercolor paintings delightful and since I don’t have $100+ to spend on a book of his art, these images will have to suffice. I wonder if more galleries and museums will start showing his work due to the growing popularity of this period in current pop culture? Want to know more? Read an short biographical article about the artist's childhood in Japan here. If you know of other similar artists please share with me, I'd love to know!

(image via...)

February Photo a Day

2012-02-01T23:55:00.003+01:00

I recently found out about this fun photo activity on twitter so, I'm joining too! What about you?

Find out more about it here or look for #Febphotoaday on twitter. Happy February!

Day 1: Your view today...

South Africa: Safari at Tremisana Lodge

2012-01-31T16:48:00.002+01:00

After spending a few days in Johannesburg, we packed up and headed east to Kruger National Park. Personally, this was a part of the trip I most eagerly awaited. We ended up having chilly autumn weather which was perfect for spotting animals. I still can't believe we had such amazing luck!

Planning this leg of our trip was a bit confusing, there were just so many tour companies to choose from! (Some of the tours cost thousands or more a night per person, personally I’m not heading into the wild bush to get a massage at a fancy spa...) We love the outdoors and wanted to stay somewhere relaxed, exposed to nature and most importantly budget friendly.

I’m so glad we chose to stay at the Tremisana Lodge at the Balule Reserve, which fit perfectly to our needs and catered towards the budget conscious or backpacking type of traveler. Fortunately, a round trip drive from Johannesburg was also provided. This five-hour journey (each direction!) took us through a long stretch of farmland and with many twists and turns we headed up through the mountains. Such gorgeous views! Aside from catching the scenery and a few cat naps the way, those drives gave us a fun chance to get to know our fellow travelers.

Catching some sleep on the road...

Making our way through the mountains...

Upon arriving we found the lodge was run by a team of friendly local staff and knowledgeable guides. We stayed in one of the thatched roof chalets with all the basic amenities surrounding a pool and lush scenery. If you’re up for it try staying in one of their tree houses! An electric fence kept the wild animals from wandering in but every morning we caught the monkeys leaping from one budding Poinciana tree to another. Our stay there was exactly what we had imagined for a safari experience and I'd happily recommend others to say here.

Safari time, yippie!

During the course of our stay, the guides took us out on multiple safaris to Kruger Park and surrounding game reserves. They shared loads of information about the animals, local flora and fauna and happily answered millions of our questions. An early morning was reserved for a bush walk, one of my favorite parts of the tour. After a long day of animal watching we’d return to the lodge in the evening with a delicious braai (traditional South African bbq) waiting for us. Sharing a beer and braai every night was a great way to relax and connect with other travelers while sharing stories and travel tips.

The meals were delicious and they happily catered to vegetarians. Everyone at the Tremisana Lodge was friendly, staying there felt like the most fantastic summer camp. I made some nice friends on this leg of our trip and eventually met up with them later in our along the Garden Route drive. After getting to know the employees and our fellow safari buddies during that week it was actually a bit sad to leave!

Remember these colorful miner's helmets from the World Cup in South Africa!

Awkward braai photos happen after too many beers...

Heading out for an evening safari...

Safari sunsets...

Next up: More safari adventures and lots of animal pictures. Prepare to be inundated, it took a while to edit them down from about 1200 images...

Sunny Sunday Sun Salutations

2012-01-29T22:03:00.000+01:00

Yoga outside makes me so happy... especially when this little guy stops by to say, 'hello'.

Hope you're enjoying the weekend too!

Odds + Ends

2012-01-27T15:41:00.004+01:00

Here are a few neat things I've stumbled upon this week. Enjoy!

Mmm this treat sounds perfect for a sleepy Sunday brunch.

This vintage inspired blog makes me wanna rummage through thrift stores again, it's been too long.

My mom brought back a bipmbop dish from South Korea now I can't wait to make this fun Korean Bipimbop recipe.

Every airport should have one of these to take the stress out of traveling (and long layovers!) Well done, San Francisco.

NPR featured a little something about weird and wonderful Florida, my home state!

This delightful video makes pineapple upside down cake look so simple! Maybe I'll give it a try soon.

pineapple upside-down cake from rachelchew on Vimeo.

Around the World...In 5 Minutes

2012-01-26T16:41:00.000+01:00

There's always time for a little travel day dreaming...

South Africa: Johannesburg & Visiting the Cradle of Humankind

2012-01-25T18:33:00.009+01:00

We started our South Africa adventure in Johannesburg. This wide spread city (seriously, it’s huge) isn't known for being terribly tourist friendly but we managed to have a few days there trouble free. It may have helped that my mother had previously spent quite a lot of time there for work and was able to gather tips and research some of our plans. (Disclaimer: This post is about to get pretty nerdy and wordy, you've been warned!)

We arrived after a 17-hour flight from Atlanta to a drizzling evening and immediately crashed at our hotel in order to prepare for the next day's trip. Since tours and organized trips aren't really our style we rented a car. The following morning we set off for our first day of exploring and visited Maropeng: The Cradle of Humankind, the World Heritage Sight where some of our most recent bipedal ancestors have been found! As an anthropology student I spent countless hours studying (and attempting to memorize) all of our various hominid ancestors, so this spot was high on my list. Academically inclined or not, if you're a human and passing through the Jo-burg area then you should visit this museum, especially if you're keen on science, history or reading National Geographic.

(Image via...)

It's only a 90-minute drive from the Stanton area of Jo-burg where we stayed. Go ahead and give yourself about 2 hours to get there because tourist friendly signs are few and far between in the city center and virtually non-existent in more rural areas. It didn't matter how many maps we studied, without road signs or indicators we were just randomly traveling down on one dirt road after another. We did, however, bump into a handful of other equally lost tourists who had rented cars so, if that's your travel preference I'd definitely recommend to take a deep breath and give it a try. Especially since I haven't heard much about tours heading out into this area yet. For those of you still confused what this post is about go here!

Of course, getting lost is inevitable while traveling but this experience ranks high on our list. Our detours allowed us to spend some quality time enjoying the pleasantries of South African grocery stores and gas stations, and we quickly discovered that a lot of the locals (surprisingly?) had no clue where we were headed but at least everyone seemed happy to try and help. Oh, and to answer your question yes, the ride back took even longer, how perfectly wonderful for a rainstorm to arrive just we're departing!

Whew! We decided to document our arrival after a very bumpy ride with a photo. Hi, mom!

Once you finally arrive, there are two areas suitable for visitors, the Sterkfontein Caves and the Maropeng Museum. We started with a guided tour of the caves where some archaeologists are currently excavating ancient hominid remains.

Inside the Sterkfontein Caves...

It was fascinating to see a live archeology site! For those of you who might be familiar with Mrs. Ples or Little Foot, this is the location where they were found along with the very recently discovered Austrolopithicus Sediba (nerd alert: it was really cool!!)

The site where Mrs. Ples was found...

Later, we headed to the recently built museum where we brushed up on our human evolution knowledge and caught a glimpse of some ancient bones. After our all day visit we stopped at the museum for a delicious meal and snapped a few photos of the surrounding hills. Looking out at our surroundings, I couldn’t help but wonder how many more fossils were hidden, waiting to be found. Like I said, if you're a National Geographic buff, this spot should not be missed!

Views surrounding the Maropeng Museum...

There also happens to be a small, very lovely looking hotel located in the same area of the museum. We didn't stay here but could have easily stayed over night and spent another day exploring more of the grounds. I'm curious, have any of you stayed at Maropeng? How was it?

Next up: Safari adventures! Stay tuned...

Downton Abbey...Obsessed Much?

2012-01-24T18:07:00.009+01:00

If you’ve been following me on twitter you’ve noticed that (like many others) I’ve caught the Downton Abbey bug. It all started a few months ago while stuck in bed after having my tonsils removed...nothing else to do but stream Masterpiece Theater, right? (Go ahead, call me a nerd) Now that the second seasons has started my Sunday nights have been consumed with wine + lady friends + watching PBS. Never have I ever been ignited with a pop culture obsession. Korean soap operas? No. Harry Potter? Nope. Twilight? No way! Actually, come to think of it I've never even ritually watched a tv series like this before. But on Sundays, we get serious about Lady Mary and the Crawley family drama.

If you didn't already know, this show illustrates an aristocratic family and their servants in turn of the century England. It evokes all the luscious glamour, lovely fashion, rich history and social drama of the period (think Upstairs/Downstairs but more intense) and frankly, I can't get enough! Although, just a quick online search will prove there are people far more obsessed than I am. It's definitely one of the best series I’ve seen on Masterpiece Theater and it’s popularity has created a pop culture buzz. How funny is this tumblr Downton Abbeyonce...Beyonce lyrics + Downton Abbey? Why didn't I think of that? Hilarious!!

Have any of you ever visited Hyclere Castle where the show is filmed? I'm dying to take a tour, like I said, I'm really into this show. I just learned that the Carnarvon family still occupies the estate, how incredible! But could you imagine how much dusting it takes to run a place like that? Yikes. Oh, I can't help but dream of taking a road trip and touring the English country side to visit a bunch of estates, manor houses and fancy gardens. Now it's officially added to my already long list of travel wishes. Any suggestions??

UPDATE: A friend on twitter just brought to my attention another funny tumblr. Those who love Arrested Development will have a giggle, take a peak at Arrested Downton... haha!

Odds + Ends

2012-01-13T11:37:00.008+01:00

Wow, and just like that the second week of 2012 has already passed us! Here are a few things I spotted this week which you also might enjoy.
Have a brilliant weekend!

From time to time we could all use some advice from Old Schooled.

Thanks Emma, for sharing these lovely vintage photos.

Wait, what's this? I suppose anything done improperly can be dangerous but really is yoga bad for you now?

Lemons? Check. Rosemary? Check. I can't wait to make this tart.

Amsterdamers, I know you also want to sneak a peak into this dying tradition

Stick with your new year's health kick and try one of these jazzy salad ideas.

Have you seen the trailer for Wes Anderson's new movie, Moonrise Kingdom?

Winter Getaway to Savannah: Part II

2012-01-11T21:03:00.005+01:00

As I previously mentioned, my Dutchman and I rode the train to Savannah, Georgia for a quick winter vacation. Here are a few more photos and some of our favorite things, enjoy!

We started our mornings out with a cuppa' coffee and breakfast at the funky Gallery Espresso on Chippewa Square. We had a few evenings filled with fancy beers and delicious black bean veggies burgers at The Distillery. If beer selection and tasty food are high on your list be sure to check out the Moon River Brewing Co. as well. Although I don't fully recommend carrying around a cold beer on a chilly winter's night sans gloves. But, if boozing is your thing the city regulations allow for drinks taken outside the bars. We spent one evening causing a ruckus at a dueling piano bar and on another chilly evening found some quality live blues at a bar along the infamous River Street.

We sampled a few southern favorites like fried green tomatoes and shrimp 'n' grits at the legendary Pirates House. Without a car it was a bummer that we missed out on the retro inspired sweets at Back in the Day Bakery (but I've heard they're delicious!). While wandering in and out of the many shops along Broughton Street, we sampled a variety of honeys and discovered the goodness of raw honey+apples+cheese (yum!) at The Savannah Bee Company, spent some time flipping through interesting books while falling in love with lots of charming, eclectic, French inspired goodies from The Paris Market. Later we splurged on an ice cream treat (a honey & almond scoop for me!) at Leopold's.

When you visit Savannah be sure to sample a local sweets like pralines, stop for a history lesson in the First African American Baptist Church and reserve ample time to peruse the many antique shops. For this easy going trip we opted for self guided tours of the city and enjoyed the sights on our own pace with a historical walking tour guide. I definitely recommend picking up a copy when you visit, plus this fantastic purchase at the the tourist center was only five-bucks! Simply strolling around the city, in awe of the magnificent mansions, historical architecture and cozy tree filled squares were some of my favorite moments of the trip. As most everyone knows, the city is quite aesthetically pleasing but after spending so long living abroad it was also a nice switch for us to have some quality time in The States. For once, I conveniently had a strong understanding of the language, history and culture!

Winter Getaway to Savannah: Part I

2012-01-10T03:42:00.009+01:00

I spent the week between Christmas + New Years with my Dutchman for a leisurely week in Savannah. We took a scenic train route into town, which is completely normal in Holland but typically as common in The States. Spending a few (chilly) days walking all over the charming historical city was a perfect winter break. Naturally, we also enjoyed enough tasty food and drinks to become borderline gluttons!

Adding to the merriment were two of my hometown friends traveling with a similar agenda. So, the four of us opted for a few city tours via horse + carriage and later, a late night ride with ghost tour...viewed from the back of a hearse! It was a crisp winter evening and a ghost stories were a fun combination of kitsch and spooky. The creepiest part? When our guide explained that a soil sample from beneath the oldest tree in Savannah (top right image) was composed mostly of human remains, eak!

Coming soon, Savannah:Part II complete with a few of our favorite spots around the city...

Adventures in Kiwi Land

2012-01-05T07:58:00.004+01:00

Despite a pretty full passport (hey, no complains here!) New Zealand is still high on my 'can't wait to visit' list. So, for now I'll have live vicariously though my good friend Jen and her fabulous adventures in New Zealand. Jen and her geologist boyfriend made a great blog of stories and pics from their 7,000+ kilometer road trip.

Check out all of their fantastic pictures, videos and stories here. Tandem biking through vineyards, waterfalls and glacier hiking, oh my! Plus, she pulls off looking effortlessly fabulous even while camping and descending deep into glow worm caves. Thanks Jen and Matt for sharing your adventures with us!

Hello there, 2012!

2012-01-04T23:24:00.002+01:00

Here we are folks, it's already a few days into the start of 2012 (happy new year by the way, better late than never, right?) I always find this time of year very exciting, looking towards what's to come and reflecting on what has past. Personally, I'm not so keen on 'making resolutions' but I do like to get keep a fresh positive outlook for the new year. This year I look forward to whatever life brings along. Let's hope that includes more traveling, tasting and creating yummy foods, writing (more frequently), making new friends and experiencing happiness with friends and family...plus, sharing all of these neat things here on the blog!

After this hectic holiday season I'm happy to just take it slow and enjoy a bit more time with friends and family. I logged quite a lot of sky miles in 2011 going back and forth a few times between The Netherlands and America along with a trip to Italy and later big trip all around South Africa! Despite the tough moments we go through each year (and the exciting ones too!) I find that by the time I'm looking back it's hard to imagine things any other way, life has a way of just working itself out even if we don't see what the final plan might be. But like travel, life is itself about the journey and not necessarily the destination. The sun always rises, so here's to looking forward to the next adventure!

Autumn in Ithaca Pt. 2

2011-12-19T16:55:00.007+01:00

Wait, seriously, how is it the end of December already!? These pictures are from a little family reunion to correspond with my Grandmother's 94th birthday. She's 94 and still got it goin' on, autumn is her favorite season and I agree, autumn leaves are quite enchanting, especially along the rolling hills of Upstate New York. The weather was a perfect mix of crisp, cool and sunshine. One day we even had a teeny tiny little snow drift, which was just enough for me after surviving the last three winters of snow-pocalypse in Holland. Naturally, I meant to share these autumn leaves pictures with you last month to go along with this video I made, but time escaped me. Oh well, here they are better late than never!

Previously, I mentioned in this post, that while in New York we visited the Corning Museum of Glass where we made our own ornaments. Did you ever stop to think that originally, lightbulbs were completely hand blown?! That really blew my mind. Making our ornaments was a really neat experience which sort of flew by so, maybe I should look into taking a glass blowing class sometime. It seems like such a fun hobby to try!

Aren't these glass jellyfish delightful? They were on my imaginary wish list along with a gorgeous art nouveau style Louis Comfort Tiffany lamp...

(source)

Smoked, Roasted and Grilled

2011-12-19T06:42:00.002+01:00

Hearty whole wheat bread, smoked tempeh and roasted red peppers make excellent grilled cheese fillings.
With a big hand full of cherries on the side, yes please!

Amsterdam Loves Bicycles

2011-12-18T08:28:00.001+01:00

I noticed these cute video making rounds twitter the other day and thought they would be nice to share...

Whenever I'm away something I miss so much about life in Amsterdam is cycling, it just makes me generally happy to ride my yellow bike around the city. Well, honestly it's a love/hate relationship at times like when your bike gets vandalized or your ride home is covered in freezing sleet or hail...but like they say, you can't win 'em all, right? Bikes are a huge part of what makes my daily life pleasant in Holland and for some reason it doesn't feel quite as charming to bike in other places. Where do you like to ride your bike?

Catching up at the Powwow

2011-12-16T17:00:00.003+01:00

While working on my degree in Anthropology one of my favorite courses included Native American cultural studies and I used to attend powwows in the area often. These cultural gatherings include song, dance, story telling, merchants, a variety of foods and my favorite activities, watching the dancers in their intricate regalia. A powwow also opens discourse for those who want to learn more about the Native American communities we have and I often found myself engaged in so many interesting conversations with my professor and her colleagues as the sun went down.

While in Florida this autumn I attended a local powwow with a long time university friend and of course ran into my professor too. Aside from the fun event, it was great to do something together we've enjoyed in the past but haven't been able to do in a few years. Days like that help to bridge the gap that can sometimes build up while living over seas and it felt so good to know our friendship popped right into place despite the distance. Who knows, it might be another year (or longer) until we get to attend another powwow together.

If you want to learn more about your local Native American community to visit a powwow in your area learn more here. Have any of you attended The Gathering of Nations? It's on my list, I'd love to go one day!

Have you ever visited a powwow before? Here are a few photographs from that fun day, aren't the Eagle feathers majestic?!

Good Eats in St. Augustine

2011-12-15T18:41:00.002+01:00

As mentioned before, I had the delicious pleasure of an impromptu trip to St. Augustine with a couple gals. So when my good friend Emma raved about the yummy dishes served up at The Floridian Restaurant we quickly added this eatery to our evening menu. Stopping by this spot turned out to be the perfect end to a fantastic day. To start, we ordered a round of Fried Green Tomato Bruschetta to hold us over because their menu took us a while to dissect since everything was so tempting.

Fried Green Tomatoes + Chili-Garlic Aioli

Everything, seriously, everything sounded great. And better yet they offered a range of local and seasonal ingredients along with a variety of vegetarian options. It was a win for everyone. Plus, I got to stock up on a few Orange Blossom Pilsners, mmm honey beer!

Seasonal Salad: Bib lettuce, Tempeh, Sauteed onions, Goat Cheese, Apples

Despite being quite stuffed, the three of us shared a slice of supremely sweet, crunchy pecan pie, which happened to have a layer of chocolate and coconut on the bottom. YUM!

Pecan pie, need I say more?

A great thing road trips in America (and something I really missed while in Holland) is the ability to sing at the top of our lungs, this simply can not be done on a bike in Amsterdam without being a total annoyance to everyone. That night in particular commenced with some of our favorite tunes for the ride home, with great friends come great random moments!

Exciting things...

2011-12-14T16:18:00.003+01:00

First off, I'm very excited to announce that this blog has a new domain!

www.lilywanderlust.com

Yup, there it is my friends. So, if you have links to this blog would you please be so kind add the update? Thanks so much! As you can see, I've made a few small tweaks and at the moment, I'm still figuring out how to implement other changes (honestly, there is just so much to learn!). With a new year on the horizon it seemed fitting to get new things started around here. Now, on to a little winter update...

We've all been stating the obvious lately, how exactly is it December already?! In fact, there are only 10 days until Christmas, yikes!

So, I wanted to share a quick winter recap of what I've been up to lately. I promise, the South Africa stories and photos are on their way very soon! In the mean time, here's a sneak peak...

It took most of last week to fully unwind after almost 3 weeks in South Africa. (Which also happens to means catching a nice break from the awful Dutch wintertime drizzle). I've been armi ng up chilly nights with almond milk tea lattes, and trying to squeeze in as much friends + family holiday time while in The States...

While traveling in South Africa I finished up The Happiness Project in perfect time to refresh begin a new year in 2012.

In the last a few months I've been back on a yoga kick and happily trying to keep up with my routine 4-5 times a week. Subscribing to Yoga Journal (along with various podcasts) has helped a lot, now I can't imagine skipping out on yoga for so long ever again! Sometimes it's so hard to with a routine while traveling...

Post Power Yoga Fuel

2011-12-11T19:41:00.005+01:00

After spending so much time on an airplane to and from South Africa I've been craving extra exercise and yoga every day this week. Last night, after a really intense power yoga session I whipped up this deeeeeeelicious monster salad post workout. Simply mixed up the random veggies that we're stocked in my 'fridge.

First, make a giant salad with sauteed red onions and quorn pieces (cook 5-7 minutes in a frying pan with a dash of olive oil). Slice up cucumbers and peppers, sprinkle on a bit of goat cheese, add some sriracha for a kick with some sweet, tangy balsamic glaze on top. Then, stick half the salad into a toasted tortilla and it's done. So good!

Did I mention it's super quick and easy too? Just load in whatever fresh veggies you've got to use up. Don't forget the balsamic glaze, I've been adding it to everything lately (obsessed!) go get some now you'll love it!

Arancione bicicletta

2011-12-07T11:49:00.005+01:00

Spotted in Sardinia. Check out that teeny-tiny chain. Makes me giggle since I've gotta haul around a giant five-pounder on my bike in Amsterdam.

Sinterklaas kapoentje

2011-12-05T06:48:00.002+01:00

Oh my, how is it already that time of year again? Let's break out the chocolate letters and kruidnoten!

This year I'll be celebrating in South Africa (surprise!) but you can click here to see some Sinterklaas memories from the last few years in Holland... Dag Sinterklaasje!

Puppy Love: Daily Miyuki

2011-11-29T12:35:00.001+01:00

My pal Ashley happens to not only be fantastically creative but also the owner of one of the most adorable, squishy faced French Bulldogs around. Oh Miyuki, you're such a hoot, always silly and hamming it up for the camera! Check out the other puppy pictures here at Daily Miyuki or see some of Ashley's graphic art and delicious homemade ice cream endeavours over here.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T07:01:00.004+01:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It's hard to believe that I haven't celebrated the holiday in America now for four years. The last three were in Holland and this year we're adventuring in South Africa! Luckily, we had little pre-Thanksgiving party to get my fix of mashed potatoes, to-furkey and other treats earlier in the year. YUM!

Well, I suppose it's not quite exactly the same as celebrating on 24 November. But it's hard to grumble when thinking about all the amazing adventures and friendships I've made instead of a slice pumpkin pie. Those are truly moments to be thankful for!

Wordless Wednesdays: Texture

2011-11-23T10:43:00.004+01:00

Sardinia, 2010

Sunny St. Augustine

2011-11-20T08:17:00.015+01:00

The formula for this fantastic day included seeing old friends and fully embracing the classic American past time of road trips. This autumn, we filled up the tank and headed to St. Augustine, a little Florida city with lots of historical charm. The weather was absolutely, positively perfect for an unplanned day trip and we had just enough time to wander around and enjoy a few beers before the sunset. Our dinner that evening was so spectacular that it deserves it's very own post. I miss my life in Amsterdam so very much, but spending time around my old stomping grounds (and sunshine!!) is so good for my soul.

Cute storybook homes, too many to count!

Spanish moss always evokes memories of home

Colorful ceramics (wish they could live in my kitchen one day!)

Walls made of oyster shells

Enjoying a few beers in a tree top bar just before the sun set

Such lovely ladies to spend a day with

Autumn in Ithaca

2011-11-19T06:38:00.001+01:00

Here's a little video I shot while driving through upstate New York in October.

I love the color of autumn leaves with the sun shining through!

A Murmuration...

2011-11-18T09:03:00.002+01:00

Oh my. This lovely video has been circulating around lately but it's so magical I felt a need to share it too. Can you imagine what that must have felt like to experience such a surprising burst of nature? Wow, a murmuration of starlings...believe me, it's beautiful, just watch a see.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

25 ways to wear a scarf

2011-11-17T09:30:00.001+01:00

Moving from a hot, humid climate to chilly, rainy northern Europe rendered a complete wardrobe change. I could (finally) fully embrace the practicality of layering clothes and it didn't take me long to get hooked on the assorted stylish ways of wearing scarves. Although, many sundresses have sadly been thrown from my closet, a lovely collection of scarves continues to grow! I wanted to share this adorable video full of scarf styling ideas now that autumn has arrived and winter is quickly approaching. Sadly, I must admit most of my autumn/winter clothes were worn far too often during this terribly cold Dutch summer!

Sardinian Sunsets

2011-11-16T05:34:00.005+01:00

Memories of bright sunshine, warm winds, crisp and cool white wine, delicious cheeses and a few hearty scoops of almond gelato. All in all, a fabulous girls weekend getaway.

Alghero, Sardinia

Glassblowing...my new hobby?

2011-11-12T15:26:00.005+01:00

Check out this lovely glass ornament I made!

Well, technically, I blew the glass while a professional at The Corning Museum of Glass helped with all the harder parts, you know, with the molten glass and all... I'm pretty delighted with the outcome and am now very tempted to learn more about glass blowing. I was completely mesmerized watching the gooey, melted glass, the artists make it look so easy. Did you know the colors change completely at such high temperatures?

The museum was very instructional with lots of live glassblowing demonstrations. Honestly, I never really thought much about the history of glass but imagine that in the 19th century every light bulb was hand crafted by a glassblower! What a magical craft to watch in motion, maybe I've found my next hobby. More travel stories to come soon, until then have a happy weekend!

It's always darkest before the dawn

2011-11-07T16:53:00.003+01:00

Flying high above the clouds still amazes me, I snapped this picture last week enroute to New York.

It fits perfectly with the song that's been stuck in my head all week...

No surprise that I'm obsessed with the new Florence + The Machine album, Ceremonials. Their first album Lungs was pretty much the soundtrack to my whole life last year. Go on, have a listen.

Ketchup Fiets

2011-11-05T13:31:00.014+01:00

Has anyone else seen these around Amsterdam? Is there a story behind them, or just a marketing scheme?

Sure, ketchup is popular in Holland but not fanatically loved like it is in the States. Mayo is the french fry topping of choice around here so, I'm dying to know how someone got their hands on a Heinz 57 Ketchup bike.

Wordless Wednesdays: Rustige Gracht

2011-11-02T07:13:00.002+01:00

Wordless Wednesdays: Ontbijt

2011-10-19T09:01:00.003+02:00

Disclaimer: I know this is supposed to be wordless but... Yes, my friends, it really is socially acceptable (and whole heartedly enjoyed by the masses) to eat chocolate sprinkles for breakfast in Amsterdam. I suppose it makes sense hagelslaag is named after hail, a painfully honest reflection on the weather over here. (Dontevengetmestartedaboutthehorriblesummerweather!)

Wordless Wednesdays: De Magere Burg

2011-10-12T07:16:00.003+02:00

Wordless Wednesdays: Zo Lief

2011-09-28T12:04:00.002+02:00

I'm in a Satay state of mind

2011-09-22T14:24:00.005+02:00

Serendipity at it's finest: while paging through one of my new cook books, I came across a vegetarian version of Kipsate, the Indonesian inspired, spicy peanut sauce dish that's vastly popular here in Holland. Now, I regret only briefly mentioning the amber-colored, peanutty goodness so infrequently before, since it's quite a staple in Dutch cuisine.

I suppose the recipes have been neglected here on the blog because every time I make something with satesaus it's immediately scarfed down without heeding the patience it takes to first pause and take a few nice photos (what a yummy dilema at that). Honestly, this is the first time I've done home made satay since in we have an abundance of convenient ready made sauces at local grocers and now I feel quite foolish because I think this recipe is perfect...and really simple! Definitely a front runner for favorite home made meals of the year. I finished off the meal with a Framboise (raspberry beer) and vegan oven baked onion rings from Appetite for Reduction (recipe to come soon).

So go ahead my friends, what are you waiting for? Grab the peanut butter and get going!

Quorn + Cauliflower Satay with Cucumber Pickle and Vegan Oven Baked Onion Rings

Cauliflower + Quorn Satay

(Recipe adapted from Rose Elliot's 'New Complete Vegetarian')

1 large head of cauliflower (about 500g, just the florets, chopped)

2 cups Quron pieces (you can also substitute tofu blocks or tempeh)

Satay Sauce

· 4 tbsp peanut butter (creamy or chunky)

· 5 tbsp coconut milk

· 1 tbsp tamarind paste

· 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste

· 1 tsp brown sugar

· 1red chili pepper, minced
---Mix ingredients together in a bowl, stir well, set aside.

Marinade

· 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter

· 2 tbsp coconut milk

· 1 tbsp soy sauce

· 2 tbsp rice vinegar

· 2 tbsp sesame oil

· 2 tsp ginger

· 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed

· 2 tsp garam masala (or substitute with hot curry powder)

· 1/2 red chili pepper, minced

· Olive oil or your preferred cooking oil to coat pans

---Mix all marinade ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. A fork works fine, stirring thoroughly.

---Rinse cauliflower and chop into bite sized florets. Boil water in a pan and parboil cauliflower (about 3 minutes). Drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl. Pour a large portion of the marinade over cauliflower, mix to cover all florets sufficiently. Lightly oil a baking sheet with olive oil, spread the pieces evenly and bake the cauliflower on broil setting for about 15 minutes. (Longer if you want it very crispy. Best to do this while you’re preparing the rest of dinner).

---Pour remaining marinade over the Quorn (or tofu, etc) pieces in a small mixing bowl. Mix to cover thoroughly. Heat a frying pan coated with olive oil over medium-low heat, add the marinated pieces and cook thoroughly, about 7-10 minutes depending on desired crispiness.

--Serve the dishes together with Satay sauce for dipping, YUM!

Cucumber Pickle

·      1 cucumber, skinned and diced
·      1 small onion, pealed and diced
·      5 tbsp water
·      5 tbsp rice vinegar
·      1 tsp sugar
·      1 red chili pepper, minced
---Mix liquids, sugar and peppers in a small bowl. Add cucumber and onions, stir and set aside.

Onze geheime plekje

2011-09-21T07:21:00.013+02:00

Disclaimer: I know this is supposed to be wordless but...
I can't even begin to tell the many tales and memories of life in Amsterdam are intertwined with lovely days spent in the park.
Oh, if those Vondelpark trees could talk...

So long summer

2011-09-20T04:59:00.003+02:00

Here's a few photos I had yet to post from this summer in Amsterdam. Despite the terrible weather (daily rain storms and chilly winds, yuck) there were a few great days filled with showing friends around town, yummy treats and of course, trying to catch those precious fleeting rays of sunshine. As the transition to autumn has begun, I'm in the works with some great, new travel adventures for this fall, so stay tuned!
Tot ziens summer time, see you next year!

Afternoon wanderings in De Pijp

Playing tour guide to Florida friends

Teaching Florida friends to conquer the fietspad

Wishing our picnic days could last forever

Midsummer treats!

Summer Reading...New Cookbooks

2011-08-03T07:58:00.006+02:00

A few weeks ago I spent one of Amsterdam's notorious rainy days at bookstore specializing in English language books. Lost in the cooking section, I happily stumbled upon a bunch of appetizing vegetarian cookbooks that seemed in need of a happy home on my book shelf. Luckily, I found them much cheeper on line (no import taxes + the additional bonus of not having all the recipes in metric measurements!) Now I've got some serious recipe tagging to get started on. Since it's rained so terribly all summer I'll get cooking and start posting some of my favorite new recipes soon.

Vegan Diner: Classic Comfort Food for the Body and Soul

Rose Elliot's New Complete Vegetarian

Green Market Baking Book

Amsterdam's Woonbooten

2011-07-28T10:20:00.005+02:00

Houseboats are such an iconic part of Amsterdam's imagery, there are even a few along the canal we live on. Over time I've collected numerous pictures, snapped during boat rides and afternoon walks so have a look. I love that each is so unique.

It's intriguing to imaging living on a houseboat but what about the constant bobbling in waves?
I'm curious, have any of you ever stayed or lived on a houseboat?

Roaring Twenties Picnic Party

2011-07-14T09:23:00.010+02:00

Flapper dresses, slide trombones, pie contests and dancing the Charleston... count me in! Oh, I wish could have attended this Great Gatsby styled party!

Michael Arenella & his Dreamland Orchestra from Majimafia on Vimeo.

I love the music and luxurious, old-time glamour from this era (especially the ensambles in films like The Cat's Meow) and this gathering was like jumping back in time. Maybe I should really add throwing a 1920's picnic party to my summer agenda?

A Long Weekend in Sunny Sardenia

2011-07-13T09:18:00.007+02:00

Like many other foreigners, I too have dreamed of living in Europe and skiping around to different, near by countries just for the weekend. Well, I must admit it's just about as easy as it seems...when you've got some free time and a bit of money saved up, that is. I recently met up with a hometown friend who just happens to be spending the summer in Europe. So, off we went with our backpacks and a hearty craving for wine, gelato and pizza on our long weekend in Sardinia. That Florida sunshine sure is hard to beat...but I guess a few Italian summer days can do the trick nicely too.

We left Holland on a dreary day, boarded a short flight from Eindhoven and soon found ourselves basking the sticky humidity that reminded us of home in Florida. The next few days were spent downing amaretto gelato and soaking up the Mediterranean sun. I happily vowed to end each day with a glass of white wine and fresh, crispy, vegetable pizza. This trip was 4 days of food dreams come true!

Tell me, friends, where would you like to spend a holiday weekend this summer?

Les Moulins qui Chantent

2011-07-08T10:41:00.000+02:00

How fantastic is this print? I'd love to find a copy of 'The Singing Windmills' for our apartment. This advert is from the aptly titled operetta which premiered in the early 20th century. I'd like to jump right into the print and back in time to be magically transformed into a little Dutch girl with mary-jane clogs and matching outfit. Does anyone know more about the story of the opera?

Wordless Wednesdays: Roest

2011-07-06T10:32:00.001+02:00

Wordless Wednesdays: Karma

2011-06-29T10:56:00.002+02:00

Mooi Klompen

2011-06-25T12:43:00.000+02:00

Clogs are iconically associated Dutch culture, despite the fact that hardly anyone wears them anymore (although, I must admit to loving my pair of fuzzy clog slippers). While visiting the open air museum at Zaanse Schans we had a peek into the clog gift shop and caught a glimpse of these beauties! I imagine they're not all that comfortable, but the carved detail is so lovely. The room was filled with all kinds of wild styles like clog rollerskates and Mondrian inspired clogs and this pair especially made for a bride.

Lately, I'm Loving...Summer Reading

2011-06-24T15:51:00.012+02:00

In the last few months, I've been blessed with some extra-special additional reading time, and made my way through some fantastic foodie books. Whenever there's a glimpse of sunshine I like to head out to the park and lay in the grass. But with all the rain here lately, it's been more a case of sitting on our balcony to read under the pitter-patter of rain drops with a warm cinnamon tea latte, which isn't a bad consolation prize.

Here's a few reads I'd recommend for anyone interested in food and travel... it'd surprise me if you lacked those interests since you've come all the way to my blog.

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious -and Perplexing- City

- David Leboviz

This book is a delectably fun read is chock full of funny expat anecdotes and a even few sweet and savory recipes. I'm fan of his Parisian life/food blog and subsequently, can not stop dreaming about taking a long weekend south to savor mountains of French pastries. Maybe I can finally get a little trip planned once tourist season dies down a bit...

My Life in France- Julia Child and Alex Purd'homme

I'm so enchanted by Julia's love affair with French life and cuisine (although, most of the recipes are not at all vegetarian friendly). Her story tells a tale not only of a budding chef but also the love story of Julia and Paul and their ups and downs of their curious life abroad. So naturally, this book has been on my list for quite some time...and I couldn't put it down!

Committed: A Love Story- Elizabeth Gilbert

I picked this one up at the train station en route to the beach. Thankfully, I'm not experiencing the same struggle to get through Eat, Pray, Love with this story, which, picks up where the last book ends. It's just a fascinating discussion on the spectrum of relationships around the world which I haven't finished but would recommend despite not knowing the final outcome.

I suppose it's no surprise that my reading list has been loaded up with stories of life abroad and yummy food! If you have an recommendations for my reading list then please, let me know!

Chocolate Berry Torte

2011-06-23T12:52:00.004+02:00

I had an insaciable craving for rich, dark chocolate and a free afternoon. So, naturally I headed over to a friend's house to borrow her oven and bake up something delicious, this time a chocolate torte...with berries...and fresh whipped cream! I used Green & Black's Chocolate Berry Torte and Green Kitchen Stories' Vegan Chocolate Blackberry Cake for inspiration and ended up with something amazing.

We basically followed the Green & Black's recipe but I added a spicy, nutty crust. Just combine a few handfulls of almonds, cashews and hazelnuts and crush with a mortar and pestle. Add a dash of cardamon, a pinch of cinnamon, and one twist of + about 1 tablespoon of melted butter (or the vegan substitute), stir and then press into the cake pan. You'll probably have to play around with that depending on the crust thickness you prefer.

And yes, we definitely did use a heart shaped cake pan! This torte is very rich, so invite some friends for tea or share it at a summertime picnic. Top off a slice with some fresh whipped cream and more berries if you dare!

Wordless Wednesdays: Jongen

2011-06-15T09:39:00.001+02:00

Wordless Wednesdays: Cafe de Doelen

2011-06-08T10:35:00.004+02:00

Lemon Basil Pasta with Balsamic reduction and Goat cheese

2011-06-06T09:18:00.002+02:00

Finally, Amsterdam was illuminated with summer sun, making our 4-day weekend even more fabulous for trips to the beach and picnics in the park. For dinner I whipped up this pasta with a dash of lemony zing. It even adds some summer cheer on dull, overcast days like today. Toss in some fresh parsley and basil and top with goat cheese and balsamic reduction for a this super easy, sweet and savory dish. Next time, I might try adding some zucchini or grilled peppers because this has become one of my favorite dishes.

After checking out various similar recipes, I first made this dish with my friend Emma during my recent visit to Florida.

Then, I tested it a few more times at home in Amsterdam and here's what I've come up with so far...Eet smakelijk!

Wordless Wednesdays: Paardebloem

2011-06-01T10:16:00.001+02:00

Sunsets & Dali

2011-05-29T11:19:00.003+02:00

My whirlwind trip to Florida ended with a lovely mother's day weekend at the beach, complete with a visit to the Dali Museum and watching the sunset sipping cocktails. I can't even describe what so much sunny weather felt like, we just don't get that here in Amsterdam, but I loved it! Warm weather and daily sunshine are two of the things I miss most about life in Florida. I mean, come on, sunsets on the beach are simply hard to beat.

The new Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida has an interesting twist, it's constructed right on the harbor and solidified against hurricanes. Could you imagine the insurance on all those priceless paintings? The private collection is outstanding but I didn't think the outside was as visually wild as the wacky museums in his hometown of Figueres, Spain. But once you've visited his wild home and self-designed museum you get a bit spoiled.

The triangular windows wrap around the building to form a body which can be seen best from the sky.

There's also a little courtyard,a great spot to enjoy a Spanish beer, complete with melting clocks and a garden labyrinth.

Have you visited any Dali museums around the world? If you're ever in the area they make for an amazing visual experience!

Wordless Wednesdays: Lisbon

2011-05-18T10:35:00.002+02:00

Wordless Wednesdays: Fruitmarkt

2011-05-11T11:04:00.003+02:00

Wooden Xylophones

2011-05-10T03:17:00.005+02:00

After a hectic day of pre-moving packing, this film relaxed my mind to complete tranquility (for at least 3 minutes).
Watch it, I promise you'll smile.

Via Design Mom

Wordless Wednesdays: Amsterdamse Bos

2011-05-04T16:39:00.002+02:00

A new take on Queen's Day

2011-04-30T19:53:00.012+02:00

Happy Queen's Day dear friends, my heart is in Amsterdam while I'm spending the day in the sun, by the pool sipping mimosas...because booze + orange is what it's all about on a day like today!

Whether or not you're dancing in the streets on drinking on a canal boat, enjoy your weekend and don't fall into any canals. If you want to read about last year's Queen's Day debauchery, click here.

Springtime Boatrides

2011-04-25T05:57:00.046+02:00

When the snow melts and the sun starts to shine, one of my favorite activities is having a boat ride with friends. This morning my spring cleaning session included my external harddrive where I found some pictures from a few spectacular boat rides last year. Oh, what lovely fun we had!

Spanish Moss Memories

2011-04-24T07:28:00.011+02:00

There's something delicate and mysterious about Spanish moss floating up in the trees, sifting the sun’s glow. This flowering plant isn't a parasite, it actually coexists peacefully draped along the limbs of Live Oak and Bald Cypress trees. Trees drenched in Spanish moss are a favorite memory of my life in Florida, here are a few of my favorites...

Chocolate Chili Snickerdoodles

2011-04-22T18:05:00.016+02:00

I whipped these up for a Tuesday Taco Night party with some of my favorite ladies.

They're simple to make and for a finishing touch just press these little drops of spicy chocolate into sweet cinnamon sugar and viola!

I modified this recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles. Despite it's vegan roots and general deliciousness, I thought this recipe called for a sugar overload so, here's my modified recipe...

Lisbon's Colorful Tiles

2011-04-18T10:28:00.003+02:00

Adding to the vibrance of Lisbon are thousands of tiles. They're everywhere! These eye catching tiles gleam under the sun's beam and to the sorbet swirl of colors on the city's buildings.

Lisbon Graffiti

2011-04-17T11:13:00.002+02:00

Lisbon is such a colorful city! As you're hiking up and down steep hills under a clear blue sky, scorching sun and ice cream colored buildings. I loved the colorful graffiti! They add a special aesthetic despite the fact that I had no clue what things said!

Quick Fix Quesadilla

2011-04-14T22:41:00.002+02:00

Hi folks! After a long internet hiatus I'm back with lots of goodies and adventure tales to share. When I’m in the need for a quick bite, this tex-mex style concoction is a quick and easy alternative to the sodium saturated frozen counterparts. Due to my love for spice, Mexican inspired dishes frequently land on my plate. So, I like to keep the pantry full of staples like beans, cumin and smokey chipotles.

It’s simply a combination of some food favorites, items I always keep in stock. I just layered vegetarian refried beans, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced red peppers and onions (quickly grilled with a bit of olive oil), a handful of field greens and a spicy kick from one of my favorites, chipotle peppers paired with a dash of cumin. I love to splash a bit of fresh squeezed lime on top and then toss it in my glass of water for a tangy treat.

So friends, do you have any travel inspired quick fix homemade dishes to share?

Autumn Eats

2010-11-02T09:20:00.004+01:00

After seeing this recipe for White Bean Burgers I altered it to my taste buds (as in more veggies and extra spicy) to create a White Bean & Feta Burger with home made taziki + Grilled Cougette, Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Honey Lime dipping sauce!

Portugal: Beaches and Belem

2010-10-24T10:50:00.000+02:00

Enjoying the summer sun in Lisbon should always include pistachio ice cream from Santini near the beaches at Cascais

Sand and sun in Cascais

The custard tarts in Belem are a 'must-eat' kinda thing when visiting Lisbon, but I can't say this was my favorite snack since custard grosses me out. Oh well. For cheep, scenic transport (from Lisbon to Belem) just take the tram.

Belem's Cathedral

I wandered through after the custard tart tasting. Aside from others taking a summer stroll, there was an amateur gymnastics festival going on...although it was not nearly as photographic as these pretty trees.

To the Coast!

2010-10-24T10:30:00.000+02:00

One great thing about traveling solo are the spur of the moment itinerary changes! On my second day in Lisbon I squished into the back of a jeep with some other girls from the hostel while Bruno from We Hate Tourism Tours led us on a trek to the beaches at Costa da Capraica.

We out through the city then over the Ponte de 25 Abril bridge

Looking out at Lisbon from the back of a jeep. Dangerous? Maybe. But the view was great!

Ponte de 25 Abril bridge was built company that made the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Yessssss. Finally some sunshine and beaches! Seven months away from Florida and I finally made it to the beach.

A view from the boardwalk

Here we are on the freeway, squished together in Bruno's jeep. Windy and fun!

Lisbon's famous Cristo Rei monument a miniature version of the one in Rio de Janerio

Heading back into Lisbon after our sandy beach excursion.

Sail Away

2010-09-10T12:54:00.005+02:00

This summer flew by so quickly! Here's a few images from the Sail 2010 exposition in Amsterdam...

Via Mijn Fiets: Mini Mini

2010-08-19T11:52:00.001+02:00

Dutch of the day: Street = Straat

Rock'n'roll is here to stay

2010-08-17T00:21:00.001+02:00

Everyone enjoys a little surprise now and then...especially if music and booze are involved. I can now say in complete honesty that my life in Amsterdam actually involves Sunday afternoons enjoying beers with friends and an impromptu performance of johnny be good (with a Dutch accent of course).

Yes, those guys definitely rigged the car with amps to sneak attack the beer garden with mid afternoon jams.

Spending time with friends is great. Add a few beers and sunshine to the mix and you've got an ever better situation. But most importantly, I'll never forget the guy who paused mid run (in 1970s short shorts) to show off some hilarious & enthusiastic dance moves. Anonymous dancing runner guy then continued on his way as if supremely awkward leg wiggling and arm flailing hadn't just occurred. A roar of applause from the audience was aim especially at him. I salute anyone with enough confidence to run around Amsterdam in disco booty shorts...especially those who can dance like a mad man while doing so. I was laughing too hard to snap a photo of this occurrence, but I promise it really happened.

This my friends, was a perfect Sunday Funday.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Via Mijn Fiets: Kinderen in Vondelpark

2010-08-12T11:53:00.002+02:00

Dutch of the day: Spelen = Play

Summer Sweets

2010-08-08T09:24:00.005+02:00

These little treasures which I like to refer to as Ginger Berry Tartlets are incredibly tasty and equally easy to make. I filled sugar sprinkled pastry shells with mixed Marscapone cheese (mixed with fresh grated ginger and honey in the food processor) and topped it off with fresh fruit slices.

Beatrix Park

2010-07-29T10:21:00.000+02:00

Dutch of the Day: Woods- Houtsoorten

Views from Lisbon's Miradouros

2010-07-25T12:27:00.000+02:00

Lisbon is fantastic. I leave the flat terrain and clouds in Amsterdam and traded up for hilly, coastal views in Lisbon. I'm not gonna lie, it's exhausting, climbing up and down with steep steps in Portugal's capital city. But, aside from raising your heart rate, these hills allow spectacular views of the city. A variety of miradouros (viewpoints) around Lisbon are perfect spots to take a break, knock back an espresso for a quite caffeine boost or sip on sangria during sun set. These view points are also a great spot to people watch, since many locals gather here with friends. Or, spend an evening dancing in the moonlight with friends and wine while you pull an all nighter before your 7am flight back to Amsterdam.

After a little walk around town, I stopped at the Miradouro Santa Caterina for some sangria.

Then, met up with a Rotterdam friend from CouchSurfing...we spoke Dutch while the sangria continued to flow...

The little park at the Santa Caterina view point

View across the city of Castelo Sao Jorge from São Pedro de Alcântara

Above Lisbon at the Miradouro de Senhora do Monte

Night view of the city

Free Film Festivals in Amsterdam... All Summer Long!

2010-07-25T11:39:00.004+02:00

If you're in Amsterdam looking for something fun (and free) this summer, check out a variety of film festivals happening around the city. Let's just hope it doesn't rain too much! You can get all the information here from the article I just wrote for examiner.com.

What are you favorite free summer activities?

Via Mijn Fiets: Countryside

2010-07-22T10:25:00.001+02:00

Dutch of the Day: Countryside- Platteland

Via Mijn Fiets: Oranje blues

2010-07-15T11:53:00.003+02:00

I ran into this somber couple at an intersection heading home from the Netherlands loss to Spain for the World Cup....

Dutch of the day: Sad = Triest

Post-It Love Made Me Smile

2010-07-13T12:06:00.003+02:00

I caught this little gem from another blog, whose title escapes me now. Just watch the short film, it's sure to brighten your day! Especially those of you who might still be suffering from oranje blues.

On another post-it note I should write, "Lily, get to work on your Lisbon adventures stories!" because all this World Cup chaos has been such a distraction. Thanks for waiting, I promise not to hold out on Lisbon stories and photos much longer.

I Was There!!!

2010-07-12T23:08:00.009+02:00

Wow. Wow. Wow. Last night was incredible! The Netherlands may of lost, but they played so well during the entire World Cup by never losing a game. That is, except the most important one...but 2nd place is still a great accomplishment and something to be very proud of. Lots of people today were sick with the oranje blues but come on, we made it to the finals!!!

The place to be for the game was Museumplein...craziness stole the scene.

I was squished in with the other 180,000 people at Museumplein here in Amsterdam. Sweaty, beer imbibing wackos running around in orange, what a sight! (And yes, I was one of them). The bike ride home was somber and I'm not sure if I've ever heard Amsterdam that quiet before. Just a few blocks away from Museumplein I stumbled upon a bazaar and entertaining sight- a drumming group blazing beats that really helped elevate such sad spirits. Because there's always a party in Amsterdam!

I've got great video footage coming soon but for now, check out the article I just wrote about the entire experience here:

A wave of emotions in a sea of orange during the 2010 World Cup finals in Amsterdam

The team is home now, they were escorted by fighter jets (painted orange, of course) back from South Africa. Tomorrow fans will take to the streets once again to cheer on the team for their great success. Although I'm sure there will be a few frowns in the crowd, I'm just happy they made it so far and glad to have been in Amsterdam to experience such a fun, wild event! Actually, I'm a bit bummed out now that World Cup is over. Yes, I'm shocked by that comment too...but really, without games to watch dressing up in orange and drinking all day doesn't seem as fun.

As promised some shots from the insanity that occurred last night...This was definitely one of the most exciting, "I WAS THERE!" moments of my life. And to think, I hardly paid attention to football when living in The States. Shameful, I know...but from this summer forward I'll always cheer for Oranje in my heart! Hup Holland Hup!

People began taking over Museumplein early in the afternoon.

Some outfits are more courageous than others.

We relaxed for a bit as thousands and thousands orange clad fans poured in.

This is only a portion of the 180,000 people...

Vuvuzelas have a new purpose post World Cup!

Look close! 95,000 orange flowers were dropped on the crowd.

I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty hard to get a good view!

A tense crowd starts exploding things to pass the time...Score is still 0-0

Jammer! Spain scores, hearts break, the crowd disperses in sadness.

And of course, a loss means more things get exploded into the air.

Bummed out fans bicycled home in a completely silent city.

Good thing the garbage collectors didn't go on strike again!

More sad, somber people.

A very dedicated fan will need a few runs through the car wash for that!

They do exist! A non-orange couple strolls home completely confused by the scene

Goed zo Oranje!

It's the Final Countdown!

2010-07-11T11:30:00.007+02:00

Today is the day! Amsterdam is a buzz with excitement! It's not even noon yet and everyone is blowing vuvuzelas and honking their car horns. I'm about to trek outside soon and cover myself orange and look surprisingly normal. The celebrations last all day- and then again on Tuesday when the team comes home!

Here's some photos from the a variety of games that I've been watching all around Amsterdam. We started to watch the Netherlands vs Uruguay game at Museumplein but it was just too insane so we headed back to a friend's house to watch Holland win!

The wild scene at Museumplein.

And this is what happens after thousands of people cram together to watch football.

Please note that vuvuzelas are way harder to work than I thought!

HUP HOLLAND HUP!

HUP HOLLAND HUP!

HUP HOLLAND HUP!

Via Mijn Fiets: Electricity

2010-07-08T10:30:00.001+02:00

Dutch of the day: Electricity- Elektriciteit

Sunny Days in Vondelpark

2010-07-06T09:23:00.003+02:00

I recorded this over the weekend- the weather was absolutely perfect! We spent the 4th of July in the sun on a picnic blanket. There were a few sparklers involved, too. I just can't convey with words how many bikes there are here so I thought a videos would be sufficient! Enjoy!

Sunny Days in Vondelpark from lilymargaret on Vimeo.

Hup holland hup!

2010-07-02T15:46:00.003+02:00

Amsterdam is a sweaty sea of orange and beer! Oraaaaaaanje!!!! What an exciting time to live in Amsterdam!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

From Portugal with Love

2010-07-02T00:24:00.007+02:00

I didn't exactly get around to typing up my adventure stories today because instead, I spent most of my time after work making this little gem. I don't like getting too personal on here, but I was a bit bummed that my mom couldn't make it to meet me in Lisbon. We had been looking forward to this trip together for weeks! Naturally, I wanted to capture every moment of the trip but especially to show her the scenes she had been anticipating for so long. So, I suppose this is some kind of digital postcard for anyone who wants to travel around Lisbon but can't make it over there just yet. Enjoy!

Lily-Margaret goes to Lisbon from lilymargaret on Vimeo.

Via Mijn Fiets: Bike Love

2010-07-01T10:31:00.002+02:00

Dutch of the day: Sweetheart- Schatje