Good evening at the 28th off November, 2023 -2.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's still raining outside the home. It's cold, dark and stormy. 

*

How am I doing these weeks? 

I believe I'm fine, up on my feet and it's going by allright. I like to be on my feet and do things that are in my range off possibilities instead off sitting on my ass all day and do nothing and just earn governmental wage. 

It means being (mildly) on a diet, cleaning the home, helping de Boed doing the dishes after dinner, keeping myself clean and fresh, being after healthy foods... (Fresh fruits at the local market.) baking a bit, doing excercise every once a week, (Swimming) but I'm planning on to do more. Simply to lose weight. It's strange how wishing to be 'off duty.' gets me to clean and clean myself a bit better. Like a vintage home maker would. It's not how you can be off service to the country, but to set my mind off off the world, it works. I used to be a filthy pig some time ago, nowadays I even groom my eyebrows regulairly. 

I don't follow the evening news as often anymore, since it's all Israel-Palestina, which doesn't hit the nail if you wish to stay informed about the crisis and the war in Ukraine. Sometimes I read the local news paper they have in the morning, with my coffee at de Boed to stay mildly informed. 'Noord-Hollands dagblad, regio Zaanstreek.' Almost everyone reads it. It's better to stay informed about the world during these days. Not to is just plain stupid in my opinion. 

I have to beware not to overwork myself. Often straight after chores after dinner, I put on PJ's and I'm in bed untill medication, then sit on the couch untill I feel tired enough again to go to sleep. It's not boring. I still feel homey, cozy and nice in my own home. It's cozy and nice to be in during rain. I have a nice home. Keeping it clean even lives up to the feeling off cozyness and pride these days. It's no punishment to lay in bed all evening. Especially since I'm out off bed early in the morning. Cozy comfort is so nice. You could wake me up for it. And then put me back to sleep in it again. 😉 I'm somehow keeping an hibernation during these evenings. Not too bad for a buisy bee like me. I'm so tired every day. Maybe that's how it should be. I'm a psychiatric patient, and the way it goes, life is enough. 

That's how it's been these days: Take care off the basics, and then sleep. It may not sound like it's much, but it's progress compared to some time ago. It was even worse than this. I have been doing just too bad the previous years, and due to be capable to set myself to things, despite it being in a cheap way, but finally it's there, it's progress to me. The home is finally doing well thanks to me. It's finally getting somewhere. It just took a crisis and a war to trigger me there. Does that make me mad? Well, a little hard headed, maybe. But the bathroom, the kitchen and the living room floor are all clean each week. It's gratefull work to myself not to neglect myself anymore. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.       

Good evening at the 28th off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

Storm has come over us. It's rainy stormwind around the house this dark and lonely night. 

*

There is a possibility where the war with Russia will end this spring. Not untill st. Juttemas, but this very spring, spring 2024. It's a possibility we have to take serious, like the possibility off europe being in the dark for a long period. Where touristic buildings have to be taken off off light and energy due to the energy bill we can't afford anymore if this continues. 

AND then there's the possibility where the war and the crisis will end this very spring, and I have been an idiot all along with my stock off resources untill St. Juttemas. Sometimes it works like that. With visions, there are usually a few diffrent possibilities which can be very confusing. Especially when you bet on the wrong horse, and one horse wins the race. Every possibility can come true, but there are diffrent paths and it's in the hand off the humans who play the roles in these visions. And sometimes there's one steady path we all will follow, and we have no choice in it. It's all there, it's all in mankind's hand. I think it may sound too vague, or like too much off a charlatan, but I definetely have seen the possibility off the world being free from war again this very own spring. 

We can be free off war and nuclear threat this very spring, and not have to 'deal with less luxury for a longer period.' Like the former president off this country declared. It can all be over this very spring, I saw myself preparing expensive foods in my own kitchen, I saw the country being free and cheap again, I saw people being greedy pigs after the crisis. It's all a possibility which can come true. Will that happen? 

I believe it's either short and stingy, or pretty long and unbearable with this war. I hope we can do something about it. Maybe they can hack the Russian war system, make it unworkable and stop the entire thing from working and then attack when it's all out off order. Advanced as we are. But maybe that's too simple. But it's war, and maybe the west thinks too straight forward for war with Russia. Maybe we should play it more crooked and evil to win from these guys, before they run even more over us. It's war, for godsake... But who knows, maybe that strategy is thought out waaaay too simple.  

But mind my words, we should not let go off our guard or survival techniques too soon, but this spring it could happen, and peace will be upon us again. If we have luck. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

Good evening at the 27th off November, 2023.

Good evening everyone, 

Cold, rainy winds are blowing around the home. It's depressing and dark outside for the biggest part off the day. 

*

During this crisis, I decided 'Let's play a game, a vintage game.' with myself. I decided to keep it cheap and vintage these days, but utmost taken care off as far as I'm capable these days. It's not spic and span, far from, but it's a little more groomed in my home. I didn't decide to dress like a vintage home maker, (House wife is not the term. I'm nobody's wife, but I still feel very homey and comfortable in my own small home.) But to kill some time with myself and the -otherwise stressing- crisis, I decided to keep myself buisy with things. 

Today I decided to bake two plain cakes for de Boed's afternoon coffee moment tomorrow after grocery shopping, but I decided to put my heart in it and do it well, and clean the kitchen as good as possible afterwards. I borrowed a bowl from de Boed again for this, which required quite a lot off batter, and I worked with a baking mold I got from a fellow client, and a mixer I got from my mom. The eggs where quite expensive, but I had purchased a small box only with just the amount for these cakes. Instead off cream butter, which would have been completely a home maker's pride, I baked with cheap margarine. It's not authentic, it's not above all, but these times require solutions and ways I otherwise would not use. (Due to money.) 

Fellow clients seem to donate items for cupcakes / muffins a lot. A baking tin and cupcake papers. I should make use off it, but it's for 'once.' 'Who knows, once, maybe after this crisis.' They seem to understand, but I feel almost guilty not using their items. They're requesting muffins / cupcakes so it seems, but I can't help them to that soon. It's for 'Once, after this crisis is over. I'm sorry, though.' Still they are so nice to donate. I'm still glad they understand. 

Still, it's allright to have baked these and have this with our Bingo-afternoon coffee. Tuesday is bingo afternoon at de Boed, a small community centre in Zaandijk. I hope people have nothing to complain over, and finish these entirely. A bigger reward than their enjoyment simply isn't for me. 

Better than this small home maker's joy there won't be tomorrow for them. 60's home maker's pride. And it's from a box. In a land before time, I would not let myself get away with it this way, but the box had to be finished, it's rainy weather all week, times are depressing, but now there's at least cake for me and my fellow clients during bingo time. And cheap and vintage are in fashion these times. Last week, the women at de Boed felt like fancy vintage ladies with their raisin cake, and it had one request for a birthday the upcoming month. I even seem to do business with it. (Which means I'm good. The trick with these raisin cakes is to stuff them well.) Vintage style does something to them. Maybe because they are all from an elder generation with their youth during the days I roleplay. In this area, 60's, 70's and 80's vintage never goes out off style. I dwell in it, I love it. It's the style from the common people that does it best here. Zaanstad is build with the hands off factory workers. 

Maybe I should not over-act on plain cakes. Who knows what kind off fool I think myself later on, after the crisis is over. It's just plain cake, after all. I could see it that way, I could roleplay as a 60's home maker and make it my pride to have these for my fellow clients tomorrow. And see it in a more mild light. It's just a little imagnation to solve the problem off it being old fashioned and cheap. And I think my fellow clients still will love it tomorrow with their afternoon coffee. 

We're all gritting our teeth this entire Sinterklaas period. I hope people won't go too harsh on our cakes. (Like, being jealouse or not even granting us these.) I think we deserve them. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.   

Good evening at the 20th off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was rainy, grey and cold outside. 

*

This morning was for Monday Grocery shopping, and this afternoon was for baking two raisin cakes, dusted off with icing sugar. They will be for de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk, for tomorrow's afternoon coffee break I got one off these molds for free from a fellow client, I borrowed the mixing bowl from de Boed since it required a large amout off batter, and the mixer was a gift from mom. There's something to say for that I purchased the ingredients myself. But it's a good thing baking with equipment that came to me for free. 

There's also something to say for Brussle sprouts, boiled potatoes and a meatball for dinner when serving these cakes ahead for coffee at de Boed. It's as if it's coincidence that always happens when I baked raisin cakes for de Boed. It happened two times before, this will be the third time, but I did so on purpose. I wanted to bake raisin cakes, but then saw Brussle sprouts and potatoes on the menu and decided to pin it to that otherwise boring Tuesday. It's almost old fashioned housewife's pride to serve that. Ahead to such a meal. It makes it somewhat frumpy, but I know the old fashioned folks at de Boed will appreciate and love these cakes tomorrow with their coffee. I think I even make some readers jealouse with this. Due to this being a crisis and baking being overly expensive. Under normal circumstances, this would have been too less, too old fashioned and too easy going. But everything in the light off it's own era, I believe people will get jealouse after reading this. Especially those who have nothing due to the crisis. But that's not my intention with it. Though it's decadent and feels almost cool to flaunt with it. Vintage housewife cool as this is nowadays. But that's the problem with this world these days. Hopefully one day after this I will laugh about the idea to have made people jealouse with raisin cakes and Brussle sprouts, cooked by a community centre. Am I even serious with this? Maybe for the duration off the crisis and people not being capable to afford it. I'm not kidding about it, there are a lot off poor people on their last leggs these days. They say we should get used to a long period off less luxury than what we used to. And for now, they are right. But to be honest with you, These raisin cakes are all I can afford nowadays to bake. 

If you wonder what happened to the ridges on my cakes: One mold was too old and faded to be still safe to use, so I only have one left. I can't use two anymore. Purchasing a new ridge mold is quite pricey, so I had to work with what I got today. They don't look as fancy anymore. But do they still look tasty? I hope so. And served with a napkin or on a pastry plate tomorrow, there is a lot the audience will forgive. As long as it tastes good. It's still a gift that comes from a good heart. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.      

Good evening at the 18th off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today it's gloomy, dreary and rainy outside, adjusted with an even cooler temperature which makes it mildly freeze outside at night and cold at de Boed when having coffee there. It's winter knits weather.

*

Today a multipack off Douwe Egberts coffee arrived. I donated one at the give away closet sown the hall, and kept te rest off it in storage. I found out my go- to website for multipacks, also sells coffee and it's at a discount this week. They sell it in sweet winter edition packages. Very nice for Christmas and winter. Maybe it's good to inform people about that. Today, Sinterklaas excists for the person who found the package off coffee. 

Sinterklaas arrived in the Netherlands today. I have barely money for Sinterklaas treats. I'm glad my mom gave it this year like she does every year. So I have some at the 5th off December, but maybe I can't really resist, and go for some 'Speculaasbrokken.' this year, despite they are sooo stupidly expensive, it's almost a crime to have a kid these days. But I suppose I'm only human after all, so I believe I will grant myself some speculaas this year. With a cup off winter coffee. I believe I deserve that. 

I listen to Enya's 'And winter came' A lot. I have decorated my home already for Christmas, and I think that CD suits the ambience off the home and this winter season well. 'And winter came.' Is perfect background music for Christmas 2023! Also since it's not too cheerfull. Which I think is not appropriate this year. But it's comforting and it has ambience for this year. 

  

 

This is what it looks like and what you have to look for if you would like to listen yourself. It's a modern classic in  Fantasy circles already. It's Lord off the Rings combined with Christmas. It sells worldwide, so it's also something international readers can look for. It's cozy, comforting, it lifts the spirit like spiced winter tea and it's all you need this year. If you don't have a lot off money, or like me, a rush to buy it some time ago, you can also look in second hand shops. 

Wearing previous year's sweaters goes pretty well with me. There are other things you can spend money on if you save out on winter clothes by wearing previous year's ones. It's no big deal for me, but I haven't saved out on Christmas this year. I simply did not succeed in that. But I saved out on winter clothes. I think I will be proud off myself if it's March, and I made it with it. And I'm using previous year's decorations. I decked the halls with what I got, and I found some un-used christmas lights in the storage room, simply to spice it up this year. It's the same, but the lights make it diffrent. All I need for now, is a table sized mini Christmas tree. And finish this year's decorating. (I live in a small flat. A life size Christmas tree would not make sense. But a small one I can place on a table is perfect for me.) 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

 

 

Good evening at the 15th off November, 2023.

Good evening everyone, 

Today was changing, pretty nice Autumn weather with even a ray off sun here and there. 

*

The plan for de Boed's Christmas bundt has changed, and it's completely on them but I'm going to prepare it. Not one luxurious one, but three pretty big bundt cakes. It has to fullfill two days off Christmas this year, and I won't be at home because off this this year. 

Between you and me, it feels better than to be just on my ass, waiting for the next course at my parental home during this tensional year. To be up and buisy, it's probably going to save my soul. I'm also going to prepare them quark tarts untill no extend, since they also asked for quark tarts for two days. (On them, but just like the bundt cakes with my equipment, which means my bundt pans and springforms. I easily own 6, -the amount which I think we need for two days- while de Boed can't handle that amount. Just like bundt pans. I have three steady for them to borrow.) It's no big deal. I love to make myself off use these days. It sets my mind off off things, and it's utmost gratefull work. During crisis time, I prefer to be on my feet instead off doing nothing. 

I have thought out a nice and easy Christmas cake receipe for the occasion. If my cakes come out perfectly, I'm going to share it with you. Maybe I'm going to need this personal tactic again next year. But at least I have something on hand if that's the case. The ingredients are on them, I tried to mind the price, but it's going to be Christmas. So I asked for dried cranberries, golden raisins and almonds for a filling. Somehow I hope it's going to work out. Three bundt cakes! I hope the sight is as majestic in real life as how I imagine it. 

For people like Donna Hay, my version off Christmas bundt cake is probably a laugh, but for low-profile people at a community centre, prepared for during a hectic day, it hopefully will do. They have no family to go to and are as poor as the streetbricks. But I hope my Christmas cake does for them. If it all works out, I'm going to share my receipe. 

One luck with Christmas at de Boed: They haven't seen my Christmas outfits before, so I can flaunt a bit with previous year's outfit. I'm still determined to wear what I got instead off purchasing. It's kinda better when the audience hasn't already seen it. For those who steady follow this weblog: You probably know my outfit. 😉

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.    

Good morning at the 15th off November, 2023.

 Good morning everyone, 

Today it's cold, rainy, Autumny, and it doesn't look promising to become any better today. 

*

This morning I wanted to talk through a new Christmas cookbook I purchased. 

By Donna Hay, a bestselling Australian cookbook author. Translated it says 'Christmas, the cookbook.' And 

it's perfect, it has brilliant and divine tasting ideas, original decorating ideas for Christmas treats, perfect dishes and Christmas bakings and treats- Everything you need for Christmas. 

I love it and I couldn't resist. It's just that it's something for after the crisis. The dishes are utmost Christmas expensive. It's just that it's beautifully designed on the inside, and 5 star worthit receipes for Christmas aside to it. Perfect! (I'm a cookbook collector. Otherwise it would not make sense to purchase this during the crisis.) I'm excited about Christmas, as always. I love Christmas time. Or Yuletide as pagans like to call it. Either way, it's beautifull, it's mesmerizing shiny and I love how it allows common people to go out off their way a bit more to relief their inner need for glitter and sparkle. It fills a gap for me the Fantasy Events have left there. 

This year I will decorate with last year's decorations. Due to cuts in finances, but that doesn't mean the home looks crap. It's just as good as last year. It doesn't matter if you decorate the home with decorations you have in your storage room for a while. It's the atmosphere that comes from it that matters. Especially this year it doesn't matter if you haven't spend money on it, and work with what you got. 

Aside to this cookbook by Donna Hay, I have another Christmas cookbook treasure that goes 'On the shelves.' for better days, namely 

This cute issue named 'Baking Winter Cookies.' It's not an expensive cookbook, but it's such a dragon's treasure because off the ingredients named in it. In a land before time, it was perfectly doable to work with everything named in it, but these days I have to wait untill things are getting more cheap in stores. (Dried fruits and spices are IN-SANE-LY expensive.) It's nevertless a good and cute cookbook, with great ideas, but these days it's only for the rich. I think it's going to be a perfect Christmas for me, once the crisis is fully over. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

Good evening at the 10th off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today it was cold, rainy and depressing. Streets are covered in fallen leaves. 

*

I feel a bit wobbly on my feet these days. But still I arrived at my mom's for her birthday. My mom is turning 65 this Saturday. Today was for resting a bit after arriving early. I came out off bed early and caught the first bus after they handed my medication this morning. I came out around 05.30. So you can imagine I'm tired. 

Sleep is becoming somewhat off aan issue, and it's a sign for mental people to become wobbly. 

This evening was for preparing the soup for mom's birthday. My beloved Zaanish mustardsoup. favourite to the manager off de Boed, a small community centre in Zaandijk. She never liked soup, untill my mustard soup made her love all off my soups. But I'm nothing like the soup you can buy pe-packed. I prepare my soup hotel-restaurant worthy. I don't like to brag about myself, but my cooking so good, it doesn't deserve less than praise, even when you see yourself as down to earth as I see myself. Even down to earth it's good. 

I made a picture off the finished result. It's divine according to mom, who has never tasted this before. If you don't believe me, the management off Leviaan and the city council alderman and his staff are all convinced. I made it once for an official meeting lunch they held at de Boed. And they loved it and complimented me about it. But now it's for my mom's birthday. Somehow I never expected to make a career out off preparing soup. Wednesday Soup has stopped for now, since I can't guarantee to be well enough for it at the moment to de Boed. And Wednesday is going to be for a new project. But it was quite a succes to prepare soup every week for fellow clients, who gratefull had a bowl each week. It's gratefull work to cook well for people. Maybe it's been good to stop with it, because I felt it's been quite enough. And like said, there will be a new project with food around the corner. But I can add 'Soup Chef.' To my curriculum vitae. 

Maybe I should publish a small cookbook with all the soups I have been working out during those two and a half years. 

So this afternoon has been for making use off my cooking talent to help with mom's birthday preparation. 

I wish to end this weblog with a small poem I have been writing some time ago: 

This world is dark, 

People are strange, 

You lit a spark- 

My day did change. 

It's about how small deeds can change someone's day for the good. If only for a moment, we can help someone feel lighter in this difficult world. 😉

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.    

 

Some old Christmas songs to get 'In the mood.' For Christmas

Good afternoon everyone, 

This afternoon it's cold, rainy and windy. It's a Sunday in November with nasty weather outside. Which means not much to do for most people. 

*

Would you like to get in the Christmas mood already? A little music to listen to:   

It's easy listening, it's comforting, it's relaxing and perfect to already get in the mood for Christmas this year, the good old Crooners off the 1950's. Those beloved Christmas classics we can't stand to listen to anymore after New Year's eve. But fot now, this CD is a good idea. Sit down, have yourself something warm to drink and listen. 

This weblog is pro Christmas and pro good old Christmas cozyness. Despite being pagan, I love the feeling off Christmas. The sparkle, the old fashionedness, the family feeling- all warm and nice to me. So get in the spirit with me and listen to some sweet old fashioned Christmas comfort music 💖 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

Good morning at the 5th off November, 2023.

 Good morning everyone, 

It's a cold morning without rainshowers so far. It's still too dark to see the clouds outside. 

*

If I ask: 'How long is this crisis going to take place?' The answer I got most is 'It's going to take four winters, and this is the first one.' From my dad. My dad passed away in 2012. But sometimes he informs and warns me about things. It's a voice that's trustworthit. 

I think that's the correct answer I got from the occult. This crisis is going to take four winters. And this is the first one we have to go through. 

I'm so scared. I think I will make it through, but I feel so much with the victims world-wide. The (stupid) people who have never saved money, the hard workers who never had much, the victims in Ukraine, the children who never asked for this, and so on. It's too much for common people to take. Well, maybe I'm not scared, but merely worrying. I feel worried about the world. 

In the Netherlands, there will be elections the 22th, and all we worry about is: 'Is it trustworthit? Will our vote make a diffrence and do something about our issues?' Since politics have been a rathouse these years. I don't know about you, but if it's even rotten in the Netherlands, then there really could be something nasty going on. Most people don't trust politics anymore. The marks from the CBS about political trust have never been this low and something is impossibly wrong if the same party that has won the previous 12 years wins the elections this time. They messed up such big time and lost so much trust, people are either mad or something is deeply rotten if they win. Corrupt elections in the Netherlands? A downright scandal. Too much is going on and too much has happened. 

I hope next Christmas I will try A Shirley Temple bundt cake. (This year's bundt has already been determined. Since it requires ingredients that are 'on the shelves.') But if it's all this expensive, de Boed can forget about it. That's what I mention about the crisis. Barely being capable to bake. Or still baking and being very sober with the rest off life if I can't stand it anymore and have this urge. (That's what one got for having a hobby.) Everything is there, it's available, it's in the shops, but people can't have it anymore due to it's price tag. It's rotting away from the shelves since people can't buy it. (Well, not litterally and I haven't seen it actually happening, but sometimes I have that feeling.) The items don't get sold in my opinion. Just like luxury and expensive food products. (The more common products are nevertless still populair. But what we need we need.)  I still grab on empty shelves every often, so it's not that bad nothing got ever sold anymore, but usually I don't head for the luxury products. And most people with me. But you probably got me: It's all there but unaffordable. Which makes this such an intolerable crisis. 

They require a lot from us these days. Do they even care? Do they even realise that? Or are their eyes only focused on the money? 

The sun is getting out and it's promising to become a grey and cloudy day. It's dawn by now. (It's 07.21 when writing you this.) 

How in the world can this be solved? 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

     

Good evening at the 4th off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's raining all day. It's depressing, cold and windy. Nobody should be volunteerly out at this day. 

*

So, aside from a left over raisin cake at de Boed, this day is quite depressing with an even more depressing meal ahead. It's like Great Britain at some points in this village. The more old fashioned parts off Great Britain. Most people dwell in poverty over here and where gratefull for another day off cake. That's not English, but it's the reality off the day here. The characteristics off Zaandijk is that it's fancy and old fashioned, but most people where I live are very poor. Especially these days. I hope the crisis will pass like the devil on a motorcycle so everyone can have a better live again soon.

Fancy or Frumpy, it's how the youth probably sees it. I have no problems with a bit old fashioned. Actually it's to my liking. The weekend at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk, is usually boring and the people are often fighting each other with words. They are old and mental. And we can sigh in relief each day when nobody has pooped their pants. (Like they do sometimes.) Most of us don't, but some old retards do that sometimes. One side off the village is cultural heritage, while the other side is poor as the streetbricks. And a shame whenever a lost tourist wanders off there. 

At first I thought this village to be depressing despite it's attempts to look romantic, but nowadays, during this crisis, it is romantic to live here. Which gives it a little more allure. Like with this down the spine, I can take it a bit better to live here. And it's a fancy way to live cheap. I'm glad they finally get to renovate the poorest homes in this village, and make them appropriate. I think the rent will increase, but at least it won't be such a shabby and desperate sight anymore. 

I send my mom often those cheesy postcards with 'Greetings from Holland.' with tulips and windmills, for fun, like they sell here a lot. She likes them and thinks they decorate the bulletin board down their hall well. It's loaded with windmill- and easter cards. Spring / Holland themed. You'd think I hang to the extreme right in politics with it. I actually don't and think it's stupid for them to claim our cultural heiritage for their good. Living in a typicall Dutch village. But greetings from Holland then, to my mom, who actually lives in Holland but more at the sea side off it. She thinks the frumpyness off the Holland cards is funny and cute. I have send them to my entire family. They think they're funny. 

The rain falls, and makes a mud pool off the grasfield behind the building. Nothing cheers people up like an apple baking these days, and I'm satisfied with myself to have one for them tomorrow at coffee time. I hope it will, those old cranks should take life a bit more easy sometimes. But they don't let that tell to them. Their low intelligence makes life hard for them sometimes. Just like their hardship to adapt to things. But I suppose that's why some are in here. I hope the tray cake will do something for them. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

  

Good morning at the 4th off November, 2023.

 Good morning everyone, 

Today it's cold and windy outside. Leaves are finally colouring and falling off the trees. They where on the late side this autumn. 

*

Sometimes I got it a bit high in my head. Sometimes I'm taking it a bit too high or too far, just like this morning when I used the ingredients I purchased for the apple-crumble tray cake I prepared. It's expensive for common folks, but for a crazy old spinster, it's still possible if I don't purchase it all at once. 

It has tiny 'Kruidnoten.' adjusted by me as a little extra to the basic receipe according to the package. It's perfect autumn comfort baking. I was on it early in the morning, since I couldn't catch sleep anymore. (Around 07.00) It's almost decadent these days to bake like that. Still I could not resist to purchase all flavours off this tray cake series and give each off them a try this winter. Well, I have no child coming up, so I saved out on a bugaboo. No, I'm serious, it has it's pro's to be an old spinster. This will be served tomorrow afternoon at the coffee moment at de Boed. 

I don't know for how long I can still bake. I just hope untill the last off my days, despite the crisis and everything becoming murderously expensive. When even spreading becomes too expensive. But for this weekend, It's good. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

Good afternoon at the 3th off November, 2023.

 

Good afternoon everyone, 

The storm has layed down. It's windy and rainy still, and the storm was somewhat frightfull. I was scared last night, but I survived. 

*

I purchased this book previous week, and it's nominated for 'The Golden Cookbook 2023.' 

I think that's legid and it's a very good work about Belgian baking history, with plenty off historical treatises, stories and images. And offcourse a receipe here and there. If you love history and food, this work combines it and it's a perfect read also if you are more into the historical part off baking off the 'Low Lands.' off western Europe. It's richly illustrated and I have some difficulties going through it, but I read in parts. Otherwise it's a bit too hard, which is probably because it's for the higher educated or the historicall geeks among us. And for me, the food and history lover. I haven't read all off it yet, it's more off a history book. which makes it more than an average cookbook. 

If you can afford, and you love food, baking and history, it's the perfect gift for the holidays and I think it deserves the award.

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Sometime things are mesmerizing me. Like the book mentioned before. I live sober, I don't eat a slice off bread too much these days and I think I do well in re-wearing instead off hoarding a closet full off new winter clothes. So despite being poor, the book was alluring and longing for me from the shelve in the bookstore. I just had to have it previous week. I think that's the pre off being an old spinster without children. Really, I see being washed and baking as my biggest luxury these days. So I had some money on hand for it. It was just too good to resist. People are mean, so let's forgive myself for it. The only problem I have, and it's a first world problem, is wishing to purchase all off Regula's works, which are quite expensive these days. If they are all this alluring and good. And the three new issues off the cooking bible series. Just all off it for me, please. I think I'm going to spread the costs. Not all off it at once, but spread so it's more affordable / capable to do. Nobody forces me to purchase these all at once, but I would love to have them myself. (On the other hand, nobody forces not to purchase them either.) So I can save out on dogfood, baby bottles, presents for my husband and the in-laws and diapers a few months more and purchase these instead. It's a pro being an old spinster these days. I can only live for myself, so I should live for myself and enjoy life. As far as that goes on my single governmental wage budget, but it goes so far. 

And grocery shopping? Just for myself. So nobody bats an eye if I would purchase Christmas make-up and scented shower stuff. I think I will go a bit overboard with that and not keep myself to my promise. Yves Rocher is out with it's Christmas make-up collection and it's sooo pretty this year. I requested money for it from my accountant, and I got it. That's what one got for being a sober old spinster all the time: there is money when desired during a crisis. I have been saving ever since I was only 16. I don't like to share too much information with you, but if I wish for something and I keep it sane these days, it's there. I believe in saving, sobriety and working hard at your own level. Even if that means cooking for fellow clients a lot. And flipping my coins a bit more on a daily base. (And trying to stay with two feet in the world instead off flying away on delusions.) If I didn't have these delusions... but on the other hand, I think I can do this. Surviving the crisis. Inflation hits me, but I can take it. I have been saving all the time ever since being 16. Or my accountant did for me. I never have been rich, but I'm granted with what I have. And that's the most important thing these days. I think I'm going to enjoy the scents and the Christmas sparkle. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.     

Good morning at the 2nd off November, 2023.

 Good morning everyone, 

This morning it's windy and cold, with here and there a rainshower. There is a storm predicted for today with an alarm code. 

*

I think I will be a bit frightned today due to the storm, but we have de Boed near where we can shelter when it's passing. It's not allright with me. I remember a storm we had in July, and that one was pretty scary. I hope this one will pass more mildly, but it's still something to be afraid off. 

I have been up from 05.00 AM on. I have this issue where I can't sleep anymore at a very early hour each morning. But it's not a bad thing since I do house chores like cleaning the bathroom or the kitchen at that time off the day. I have a more hygienic home, and a mind set off off things. And I'm glad I live on myself and don't annoy people with it at 05.00 AM. A man would probably not allow me to. I don't go intentionally out at 05.00 AM to do chores and clean, but when I can't sleep anymore, I do that to set off my mind in the morning. I love my home when it's this clean. And care staff compliments me on it a lot. Finally it's getting somewhere with me in psychiatric health. I also got complimented on how I look more hygienic. I have the urge to be more clean recently. I can't explain you where it comes from, but it helps so far. Not only clean, but pretty most off the time. I have my own style with it. reds, (Burgundy and bright reds) blacks, long golden blonde hair, dark nailpolish, cool beige coloured shoes (Boots!) and cool but fancy accessoires, it's dark chique at it's best. I love the trend. It's a Leo asking advice from a Scorpio on what to wear. It's a fancy November style these days. I'm a Leo with Scorpio as my moon sign, so it's not blasphemy to put it like that. I look sexy as hell with it. I have the feeling I can get any man on the terrain I set my mind on with this style, but I keep them at distance since that's not what I want. 

It's dark, seductive, sexy and chique. I want to be pretty these days. Pretty, mature and sexy. I have the feeling I'm somewhat off a heartbreaker these days. It's not my intention, but that's what a woman gets when her looks become vampy. It's like I wish to look like a vamp these days. I feel like a sexy rockstar with this on. A rockdiva. That's what I am these days. It's cool. But it's not overly Gothic. It's wearable and dark. Goths are wimps, rockdivas like me are power-women. And it doesn't lend on commercialism. It's not merchandise I wear, which doesn't make me an alternative geek. This is purely ment as a woman to take count with. A rebel, a bitch, an angel, sweet as an apple but not naive. Beauty with a mind off it's own. Stupid is something diffrent. That's what I crave for, and it's something completely diffrent than an ungroomed granny ghost. I'm both, a bitch and a sweetheart, and this reflects those two combined. It's what a man thinks he wants, but leaves him with a strong headache if he doesn't do it right. I got my jive back when it comes to looks. I feel like I'm out off depression when it comes to that. A beauty that kicks ass. That's my style off preference. 

I love Autumn since it allows people to add a certain kind off rock to their outfits. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

   

Good evening at the 1st off November, 2023.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today it's stormy, grey, rainy and cloudy outside. It's perfect cold autumn weather. 

*

This morning was for baking a treat for Friday afternoon, since there was time and place at de Boed's kitchen for that this morning, and since Friday they (Staff and the client council) are going to hold some sort off enquete for clients to request how they can make de Boed a better place, more cozy, more welcoming, more interesting for clients. I had the honour to bake them two raisin cakes for the occasion. I have been working with materials from de Boed. They are going to be dusted off with icing sugar short before serving. 

That's been my morning. I just hope people are not overly jealouse by these bakings. I have been using old tools, and old serving trays. But nevertless, for people who have nothing at all during this crisis, this could be a bit much. But it's not ment to stick someone out the eyes. I'm serious with it. I don't want to call something nasty upon me by baking for them. Let's keep it at it that this is for good business. 

Aside to baking, I have been donating a bottle off Andrélon shampoo and conditioner to the give away closet down the hall this afternoon. Doing my share off charity today. Simply because the multipacks arrived today. I always feel like immediately donating one package after it arrived, and storing the rest off it in the storage room. It would be nice if I would finish something finally. 

I have the feeling this December will be a very heavy month to bear for most people. Not only costs and war, but lately there have died a lot off people. Which always makes December a burden. It's too heavy for a bright, festive month in my head. 

And meanwhile the war in Ukraine continues, but all that's on the news is Israel-Palestina. I want to know about the Ukraine war and the crisis, and I would like to know what is going on in terms off games off power. What is real about what is suggested these days? It's enough to make common idiots like me suspicious what is suggested on the internet. Is it true that this is a power game to begin with? I wish the press would be serious upon that, and simply investigate if that is true. Since this war is too serious to ignore. What is going on behind the screens? Is there something going on behind the screens at all? Are all those rumors even true? Something should be after it and investigated in my opinion. And we should know about the Ukraine war more on the news. What is the truth? I think people just have the right to know. I wonder, is there something going on, and if so, what is going on? 

I think I would like to finish this weblog with that. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.