Good afternoon at the 11th off August, 2025.

 Good afternoon everyone, 

Today it's sunny and hot in The Netherlands, and it's said to be a tropical heathwave 

*

Today was for baking a plum pie. With plums / prunes from a care taker's garden. I think it looks quite nice. 

It's done with cinnamon, kardamom, vanillin sugar and star anise. It's going to be served at Wednesday, when that care taker works. I made this today, since tomorrow the weather will be too hot for baking. It's done with cream butter, sugar and real eggs. It's as old fashioned and traditional as can be. It's supposed to be delicious. I even purchased an old fashioned can off whipped cream with it. 

Allright, that's about it for now - 

Thank you for reading. 

 

Good morning at the 23th off July, 2025.

 Good morning everyone, 

It's warm and muddy in The Netherlands these days. 

*

New items in a series I collect- It's almost as if I discovered fresh hope. Despite it's a bit expensive, but it's the latest news on the market, and it's kinda cool to discover. The cooking bible series appears to have almost 5 new titels to collect. I need more space on my shelve for it. But it's 34,99 euro's each. I know if I wait, some enlower in price. But usually I'm kinda fanatic in collecting them. I love these, it's all the information in the field off cookery you need. Almost all the information known to mankind. It's perfect, it's beautifull, but it's high class nowadays where I eat shabby. I think for now it's not worthit, but I'll wait untill it's enlowered, or untill this crisis has ended. Everyone has their fanatical side, The Cooking Bible series is part off mine. But just, really good grief- five titles without me noticing it, I'm thát big, fat behind. Before getting poor, it's almost been pride to 'have all off the latest editions collected.' On my shelves, as if it's a real edgy, cool thing to do so and to have that. In this country, you could say it is, but I walk around on potatoes, veggies and meat and fruits for dessert, and expensive cookery is such a 'far from here' - show, it's almost insultive to myself to own such pricey books on the subject, but not being capable to work from them. So it's a waste. But maybe I can pass by bookstores and the internet every now and then, where it ends in my basket somehow, and badabim, badaboof- it's on my shelves somehow. I think it will end up like that. I'm not that steady in forbidding myself these, I'm afraid. 

And I wish to test fries, French Fries, to see which cheap brand out there is best for Sunday evening. I'm not going to do so every day, I still have to fit my pants. It's a Sunday evening thing. I should not grow more fat from it, and my blood level should stay as good as it is now, but I'll do so in moderation, to a point where the damage is minimal. So it's not dangerous to try what PicNic in The Netherlands has for cheap fries. Last weeks, it came down to a 6, not really well done with my Airfryer power. I wish to keep out all expensive A-Brands, and try the cheap ones. A-Brands give perfect results, but are we rich? I don't think so. So I'll try cheap fry brands. Usually I eat these with vegetables, so it's still kinda healthy. (And a doll up off Zaan mayonaise... so not completely healthy.) It has to make a festive meal perfect. 

And last thing I woe about- Autumn pies and bakings. Something says I won't be so fanatical with these this year. I happened to bake the stars from heaven in Autumn my way each year. It was beloved by fellow clients and staff. It's not as much as it used to be. Cooking an average meal already takes up a lot off time. So a common farmstyle cake is already much. Sometimes I'm a bit high in my head, like with that banana bundt cake from two weeks ago. It really just had to happen. It's constellations where just too perfect, and it just had to be. But it takes up a lot off energy, so I have to be spare with it. Both costs and energy, almost like owning a company in The Netherlands nowadays. It's a bit doubtfull wheter to bake or not. I think I have done my best to it this year so far. High point really was the Valentine's Potato orange chocolate chip heart cake. But Autumn usually asks for a bit more. It's the pressure home bakers have put on themselves nowadays. Autumn is for perfect bakings. It's just that that's more off a '5 years ago'- thing, and this is crisis Netherlands. As long as faces aren't caked in make-up, you know money is spare for baking. Otherwise I really would like to do a square apple pie, and a pumpkin pie this year. With fresh mashed pumpkin. It takes up energy, but the results are usually great. Maybe it's worthit the spending, and I can get eggs for it for free. You know, these inner dialogues off wheter to do something or not. I think it's best to await and see how much it will cost. It's best not to sell a bear skin before shooting it. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.        

Good afternoon at the 12th off July, 2025.

 Good afternoon everyone, 

Today it's bright and sunny in The Netherlands. It's a small heathwave. 

*

It's been a while, but I had an idea in my head off a beautifull bundt cake, banana, decadent and tasty like sin. It's almost sin to bake them nowadays with these prices. In our idea off the Wild West it's waste if it's not utmost good. But honest, I made one. Like before the crisis, like before everything got too expensive. 

I believe this bundt cake mold by Nordic Ware is called The Crown. And I love it. I felt 'It's not like I purchased a new hat when buying it.' It's been unused for a while, and it almost became a waste. But I made it work, and it came out even and perfect. I will share it at de Boed, a small community centre specialised in mentally sick people, tomorrow at our noon coffee. And it has fresh nuts and coconut in it, and spices. But I got the spices from mom. It's my own invented receipe. And it's dusted with icing sugar. It's a fairytale. I believe the constellations where perfect for it to come to be, but that might sound a bit supersticious. It's just that I felt like dusting off my baking stuff today, and it worked out well. It's promising for tomorrow. 

Allright. That's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.   

Good afternoon at the 30th off June, 2025.

 Good afternoon everyone, 

Today is a bright and hot day in The Netherlands. 

*

Today is for staying in during afternoon, in the morning I had coffee at de Boed, community centre focused on people with a mental handicap in old Zaandijk, the Netherlands. 

But this afternoon is for staying in behind the van with a pilch off water with my obesity and my pale skin. I can't withstand summer heath. On days like this it's a blessing not to have a job. Did you know that hot sun beams can increase mental problems? When it's scorching your scalp, it can worsen. It usually does with me. I don't withstand heath well. So I have to stay in on days like these. 

I'm in with a sore throat. I sneeze and cough and it hurts. I think it's due to changing weather all the time. And sleeping with windows open without a blanket one night. It started that morning. They say I have to drink a lot. I tried sage tea against it. 

People say my tray cake is better than HEMA tray cake, I checked their tray cake, they call it a strawberry vanilla sponge cake. So if I want to be better than them, I need expensive strawberries. And 'vanilla.' Whatever that means, in baking it can mean a lot. From extract to actuall vanilla bean. And theirs is probably from scratch. I think I leave it due to expensive ingredients. If HEMA's had apple- raisin, I would be better. But a restaurant wants it fancy, offcourse. And spongy. So I won't take the challenge. 

I have a lot off food on my bucket list. What to think off summer berry cake, with actuall berries from someone's garden? But I don't know someone with berry bushes. The bouquet on top would probably only take place that way in this time and era, donated and free. But it's like being a celebrity demanding free goods 'because they're good at it.' When I would ask someone. Or expecting them to do so out off nowhere. I don't know someone with a garden. I don't have that luck. I mean something like this 

Zomertaart met rood fruit

Koopmans fruittaart

I already get a lot off items and baking mixes for free from friends. Free berries are a diffrent stage. Sometimes gardeners have them left, but something tells me I won't find it. But it's an example. Wat would be more off a pretty sight than a cake or a tart, with a layer off cream, with a summer fruit bouquet on top? And you can say 'It's all fresh from the garden.' It's so fancy, and you haven't spend a penny too much on it. Or does thinking it like this make me a bit frumpy?   

Spontaneous ideas pop up in my mind. Fruit tart is a classic. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

Good evening at the 14th off June, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was muddy, grey and warm in The Netherlands. Really the edge off a swamp. 

*

Today was for baking a tray cake, taste chocolate - cherry, from jar. I haven't been around begging for ingredients this week, I purchased all except the eggs. I got them for free from a rich friend. I made it to honour Father's day. my dad passed away in 2012, and most fellow clients don't have a father anymore. They're old folks. But in honour to father's energy, I felt like baking. It came out perfectly. 

They already think I'm better than HEMA's when it comes to the apple one. I hope they like this one just as good or better.  Maybe people can use a little mood enhancer at Father's day, given it's a bit sensitive. I made this without following the instructions on the back, I rather felt like baking it like a pro instead off dumping everything in all at once. I did so by creaming butter, then eggs one by one, then the cake mix and the milk in stages, ended with the milk. You get more off a volume in cakes if you do so. I hope they will make something out off the way they serve this tomorrow. I will picture it. I hope it's picture worthit. I hope it's not too dense. Or sticky. That's a bit the trick with chocolate cherry tray cake during summer heath. I hope people will like it. 

Edit: 

This is what it looked like on our pastry plates, and they kept complimenting me on it. I love it. it's one off my favourite tastes now. It's delicious. 

Allright, that's about it for now - 

Thank you for reading. 

Good afternoon at the 10th off June, 2025.

 Good afternoon everyone, 

Today it's windy and cloudy in The Netherlands. 

*

How to dine like royalty on a budget, or when food is expensive enough to respect? The answer to that, in my opinion, is minding the dishware and how you prepare and serve it. You could have a boring white plate, and bale over your string beans and Brussle sprouts, or serve it on something nice and enjoy them. It's a trick I got from Martha Stewart, and which I also do myself. Mind the disware, it doesn't has to be the headprice, as long as it looks nice and good enough to be appropriate. It can have colours, patterns, ridges and ceramic art, prints, all seasons on them, but sure, a good looking plate. And minding how you cook is almost personal. And a tip: If you keep them clean and tidy, you can do quite long with dishware and glasses, as long as you don't throw them on the floor on purpose. Or by accident. Who am I to judge?  Make sure your food doesn't look cheap on a plate. 

I also feel like I don't need that much food when it's served pretty and well. The style off serving feels like food for my soul, so my stomach doesn't need to be filled too much anymore. Maybe we get to times where food keeps on being expensive, and respectable enough to be treated like this. We should not think lightly about it. So respectfull and nicely done plates and servings can make it a little better.  Shabby fancy dining, done with eye for presence and respect for foods. I support it. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

 

Good evening at the 28th off May, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's been a dreary day which ended sunny. 

*

I've prepared our Ascension day Tray cake with half my ingredients donated. It looks very delicious. If I do say so myself. It's almost tempting. 

If you bake it more professional instead off following instructions on the package, you can get more airy cake and more amount off cake out off a box. And offcourse not using the cardboard mold they include, but your own if it's bigger. It's unemployed cake at it's finest, but it looks so temptingly good, it's promising. I hope it will blow away the worse dreary Ascension day blues for me and my fellow clients tomorrow. 

de Boed starts providing evening meals again. A good care cooking company started to do buisness with them. they're better than my potatoes, veggies and meat. Really good quality for affordable pricing, so I will start to eat there again soon. It's like the Universe has mercy for me with those meals for that price. And it reliefs me off dishwashing. It's really dreamy meals. Are we, unlucky mental patients, lucky for once? I do think so. I can't picture those meals, I think it's not fine with them. It's really three star restaurant quality they serve. Almost unbelievable. But then you should see it. It's really a miracle. They will start after vocation time. When all care takers are back. 

Allright, that's about it for now. 

Thank you for reading. 

 Edit: This is how my applecrumble traycake got served, I took pictures: 

Good evening at the 27th off May, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

We're in a heavy rainstorm. It rains and storms against my windows and I got my curtains closed. 

*

Around Easter I was blogging about a sore in my side muscle, I found out after a massage with lavender massage oil, it got all out. We have a beauty specialist at Leviaan, and she massaged me and the sore from the stretched muscle came out. I think it might have been the holy grail in curing my sore. 💖 It's been lavender massage oil and a good back massage that worked. 

I feel a bit floaty and wobbly on my feet. It's really hard to stay on the ground. But life is still fun these days. Today was for dance Bingo at de Boed. I even had Bingo at one point and won a dessert bowl with oranges on it. Really cute. I think it would make a nice sight with a scoop off ice cream in it. Something not too pricey yet good like vanilla from a good brand. (I'm sorry I'm that cheap. You could almost see and feel on my food pictures I'm unemployed.) And then one scoop placed elegant in the centre. The bowl is decorated nicely enough to make it an impression when it's that simple. If I would have money again, I would make it more off a celebration. But I think the war and the crisis are over by then. It's Ascension weekend upcoming weekend, It's almost asking for it. But maybe fruit yoghurt looks good in it, either. It's a cute bowl. 

 

I do eat low fat fruit yoghurt for my health. Dance bingo was really fun, despite my numbers did not had to be danced to. They where all left out off dancing for points, so I had a little luck. I have the luck I have to do that for a job every week. Bingo or music quizzes, and usually I win something. It's really a party every week. 

I listen to 80's pop a lot in my free time. It's so much better than modern music. I love these golden oldies. Even if one day it becomes old junk again I would still hang on to it. I blame my father to it, and it being on the golden oldies radio stations all the time they have on here. But these are older people, and they still love it. I would not know what's on modern stations or in the hit charts, honestly. Usually we stick to 70's 80's 90's stations. And yes, I also listen to that stuff at home. I may be a little weird for someone my own age. But there's not much good music out there nowadays. I might be a bit silly in it. 

At Ascension day, on a Thursday, I will serve home made apple crumble tray cake, and have a morning coffee service, despite it being on a holiday. They asked me for it and I said yes. I don't mind doing my plight on a holiday. I almost feel a little important when doing so. It's almost dutyfull. And not to brag, they love my coffee. I come to almost believe I got The best coffee in town when I'm at coffee service. It's really honourable. The old Leviaan cowboys can't be more gratefull than for me serving coffee on Ascension day, aside to the cake. Otherwise it would just be boring, it's forecasted to become grey and cold. And just a little more harsh than a common day. 

It's going to be my version off unemployed apple tray cake, with more than half off the ingredients donated, in a 1 euro oven dish. I saved points with gorcery shopping some time ago, and then got two Pyrex oven dishes for one euro each. Even my raisins come from a donation, just like the apples. All I have to add is cream butter and milk. In this case it can be real cream butter. By measuring raisins, I do longer with a package. I hope my spirit won't be damaged from all off this freeloading. But life is expensive. So it's my unemployed apple pastry. Served on de Boed's cute pastry plates, with their whipped cream. All I have to do is the work to bake it. That's how I manage my luxury nowadays, or at least my bakings. With lots off donations. It's a bit... cheating. But at least I don't cheat on a man, and critics don't owe up for my groceries, so they have no right to speak. But home made apple pastry enhances hearts. Especially on cold Ascension days. When people don't have a penny too much. I hope the Universe forgives me. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.        

Good evening at the 4th off May, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's been a cold and cloudy day in Spring in The Netherlands. 

*

I don't use a sixth sense here, but somehow my common sense tells me the situation in the world won't change soon. It's really pulvering teeth while gritting what you have left off them. But don't pinch-point me at it. 

Today was a calm Sunday with little going on, except baking an easy cake. With a cake mix and eggs donated to me. All I had to add was cream butter, a fancy serving plate and milk. Tomorrow, at our Liberation Day, we will have a slice off cake with our afternoon coffee. 

I hope people can appreciate this version, usually it's with added fruits or dried fruits to it, but this year that was a little too pricey. And this is done with donated stuff and devotion. I really took my time preparing it. It wasn't done with everything added all at once, like the instructions might sugest. I did more like a French professional, eggs one by one adjusted to it. And milk at last. I think we got a more airy cake than what you got if you dump everything in your batter bowl all at once. It looks more big. And I know people love these cakes when I lay a little heart in them and bake them that way. But, yeah, no additions other than basic cake ingredients. Even the fancy serving plate comes from a give away shop. It's half a work off charity. A quarter off it is love. I hope people can appreciate. 

I have mild sleeping issues recently, I got up during midnight, or very early. Simply to haunt the internet or my diary. I go back to bed when I get tired, but it's becoming a pattern, and it's hard to break. And that fighting with death at night... I have this issue where I think I'm about to die when I'm in bed. Really troublesome. It never happens, it's just that annoying feeling. I simply, silly wake up the next day. I think my body is still going strong, so I won't die. It's just... really difficult. It's frightfull. 

The life off a home maker is still nice with me. Doing basic chores, making sure the home is nice, Though I don't have a husband. But I feel comfortable and almost safe at home when I do it like that. I can be annoying and flip, but at least I have this place. Be as sick and annoying as I please in the safety off this small care home. Well, at least it's a clean home. Or at least I try to. It's messy, but clean enough and cozy. Perfect for me. While NATO planes fly over, (On the other side off the country, but they do fly there.) and police helicopters seek for scum around this area, this place is clean and comforting. Sometimes it's so important and it's all we need. 💖 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

Good morning at the 18th off April, 2025.

 Good morning everyone, 

It's cloudy and fresh outside in The Netherlands. It's still dark, though. 

*

I'm here in my living room, I just took painkillers and I try to empty a pilch off water. (By drinking it, offcourse.) I put on a warm vest and I'm sitting my sore out. Today is for tidying up, cleaning the kitchen, tidying the living room and clean the toilet. Household chores I piled up this week. It sincerely has to happen. I think I'm very proud off myself if my home is clean during Easter. 

I don't know who else has this, but due to this crisis, I prepare foods better than I usually did. More thoughtfull, with great care and more caution. Due to prices. If I grease and flower a cake pan for example, I make sure it's done utmost well and all cake comes out perfectly instead off bits being off after the proces off baking. I do my best better to it. And a little grease to that: I imagine to prepare it for my really hot crush. The tension off you know what (😉) makes me do my best a little bit better, and picture it very nicely for the internet to see on Facebook. 

So it's not just dry potatoes, vegetables and meat, but really tastefully made food from it, done with Ikigai care and love. When I'm capable to cook. If not, it's just take away and pizza. But honestly, I would not feel ashamed if Ed the dragonslayer would look at my Facebook, and see what I cook with him on my mind. So, that makes me do my best a bit better too, both prices and the idea off my very hot crush seeing it. He's so hot you won't believe it. 

I had him on my mind with the Easter groceries. It made me want to eat perfect foods. I think it works to take good care off myself and cook well for myself. I never confessed to him. I just don't know if my broccoli would be so good again if I would end up with a broken heart. But I'm not planning to confess he's the hottest man in the whole Zaanstreek. I should be very carefull with that. It's good not to have him in my close surrounding. It's a little key secret in cooking for the eye off the world to see: The thought off a little you know what when picturing it. It's grease for the mechanics in my head / my system that make me cook. Just like price increasement. And my idea off respect for food. 

In my head, I hear them lazy slouches complaining it always looks that good. But it's the only thing I do. I don't take more care off my looks, though I think I don't look dull, but making foods look sincerely good on the internet is all I do due to that crush. A common gal would spend tons on make-up and clothes, spend time in the bathroom and tempt him. (And get the guy) I make sure my foods look nice and picture them in a good-looking light for the world to see. 

I think Ed the dragonslayer would reject me if he would find out. That would make me so sore, I'm not likely to say it to him. I wish to keep on cooking this way. For my own sake. It's affordable and healthy. I better keep it at that. Before I start to swoon over the potatoes again. (Naw, it's usually the meat and the vegetables that steal the show.) And it's just that on a daily base, I can't afford expensive desserts, but I can flaunt a bit with the dishware. I got second hand bowls from a give away spot a few years ago. They look perfect. And it's always the cheapest Vanille Vla. But it's all I can afford. Ed the dragonslayer is no ordinairy man, I think I might do it all wrong. Maybe he wants to see better foods, or diffrent foods. But this is what I got at the moment. But he's inspiring. Motivating, and if a lazy slouch wishes to do what I do, she should pretend to cook for her man my way. I think I would not be capable to 'get the guy.' But I eat well at the moment. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

  

Good evening at the 7th off April. 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was bright, and almost too sunny in The Netherlands. 

*

This morning was for baking appeltaart. From a 66 cent baking mix with donated spices, donated raisins and an donated egg. I measured the ingredients sober and well. Not to spoil too much. 

Spices are from the Toko, and the Elstar apples where on a discount. I adjusted two hands off roughly chopped walnuts to it. It's two tablespoons off cinnamon, one tablespoon off kardamom, one teaspoons off grounded cloves, half a teaspoon off nutmeg, and two teaspoons of star anise. Mom already donated these spices during this winter, I was sober with them. It will be for tomorrow evening's afternoon coffee at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk. I hope they'll use the nice green decorated plates. It's how we can have appeltaart for relatively cheap. My appeltaart is usually a bit spiced. I wished to prepare it this winter, but I had no energy for it. But here it is. 

At the moment, I sit in my living room with a pilch off water in front off me. We have to drink, otherwise we would die. I think I do well, despite less luxury, despite harsh circumstances, despite those nasty headaches all the time. I think I do well. I feel I still love life. It's a thing I do: I love life. Life is beautifull. It's not necessairily fun, but it's beautifull and I believe in sweet old Karma to take care off me. And the world. That's what it does nowadays. It's what I believe. It's what I see. 

I can't even go to the shop to buy flowers, but this year I will try to clean my dressoir and take pride in more cleanliness. My head hurts too much for it, and I feel too weak. It's not much off a year for Easter to begin with. (Though that may sound like a lame excuse.) I made space this morning I'm not likely to fill. Luckily I don't have kids. Or a spouse that would expect me to do elsewise. At least this home is not empty. It's sweetly decorated and full enough not to be empty. And no Easter decorations is not a miss. I think I'm not the only one in this flat building who does nothing for Easter. I think I'd better be glad I can show up alive at an Easter feast this year if it continues like this. Let's make that washed, with a dash off a scent, and they better be gratefull this big old star appeared there alive and well. Haha. (Please read that sarcastically. I don't like to display arrogance.) Someday, somehow I'll make more out off Easter. But let's not promise. 

Tomorrow will be for cleaning the toilet, and doing laundry. We need basic hygiene and clean clothes. Also during this time off being. Even a weak mental patient who is easily tired can do that. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.   

Edit: This is a slice off Dutch applepie with our coffee this evening. People complimented me on it a lot. It was really nice for an ordinairy day like this, with little to happen. Sometimes people need a kind pick-me-up. It worked tonight. 

Thank you for reading! 

Good morning at the 30th off March, 2025.

 Good morning everyone, 

This night is dark and stormy in The Netherlands. I'd almost expect tigers or pirates to show up. Don't all Snoopy's novells start with ''T was a dark and stormy night.'? (Please go look it up if you want it confirmed.) this is the perfect night to frame that. 

*

I have a vision, something more off a day-dream, that one day when this is all over, my life will have this big part consisting out off dessert making. Beautifull, tasty after-war desserts. When prices are affordable again, in fancy bowls, served to true perfection. It's been one off my favourite things to do, preparing desserts on weekends. It already was back then when de Boed let me do so for their weekend dinners. It was a huge succes. Always gratefull eaters. But dinners are abolished at nowadays Boed, and so are the group desserts. But maybe I find the inspirational winds to do so again after the crisis. In a world where life is a bit better for ordinairy citizens. That would be really beautifull. Desserts, pastries, cakes- anything to keep me off the streets and hang to my hobby. I just hope my energy lets me. I'm easily tired. It's a bit frustrating, but sometimes I gotta do with what I have. 

I love the idea off a life after the war. It's gonna be in the longer term, but there certainly will be. I'm convinced off that. And preparing scrumptious Sunday desserts is a perfect idea for that time and day off being. It may sound strange, but I have hope. That's why I look so happy on my pictures: I have hope for better days to come after this. You might think I look a bit dumb, but yes, I have hopes for the future. It won't be forever this expensive. But it's just a suspect. Let's keep it for something vague in between my ears. Don't we all need hope, faith and love? Well, I have it. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

Good evening at the 29th off March, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was a lovely day in spring, not too cold, clouds changing with sunshine. 

*

Yesterday was for baking an Easter rabbit. I purchased it's mold a few years ago, before everything became so expensive, and it came off good use this Friday. It's for this Sunday afternoon coffee moment at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk, specialised in people with a mental handicap. 

It came out nice, I don't have the guts to cut it's ears appropriate, I did an attempt, but I'm afraid I might ruin it. It's plain pound cake, even the sugar is common white sugar, but it's baked in a rabbit mold. The eggs came from a friend, she has chickens she donates eggs from for baking every often. It's plain pound cake, but I did my utmost best to it. beating the eggs in one by one and flour changing with milk for example as it's last step. It's done with care. It's not like everything was dumped all at once in the batter bowl. I hope my audience can taste it tomorrow. This is my Easter 2025 cake. It contains a pinch off salt, and real vanilla extract. 

I would say good quality vanilla extract is almost worth fighting for. Or, so to say, owe up for in these expensive times. It's a necessity, and worthit the splurge, even in these times. I'm almost out off it, I think about purchasing a new bottle. For real. It's pricey, but like I said, incredibly worthit. 

Today, I came to get my new glasses at the opticien, I needed them, my old ones where 5 years old. That's pretty old for glasses, and actually you need to change every 3 years. I couldn't avoid the spending. My sight went too bad for it. I got two for the price off one. 

Allright, that's about it for now, - 

Thank you for reading. 

Good morning at the 15th off March, 2025, 2.

 Good morning everyone, 

It's still very cold and dark outside in the Netherlands. 

*

What I think is going to happen with the war, is an ink black scenario where it will end in negative doom, and we can't help changing it for the positive. It's not given to anyone to foresee, it's just that it's ink black, and I think it's best today than tomorrow to end those predictions here, and just show nice cakes and bakings and household items on here so further. I can't predict, it's too heavy. It's just very negative, and no mortal should see it. And that for years off coming. Don't take it too lightly. With lots off money on spare, and billions spend on warfare. It's not fair, but it's what's going to happen. Next five years off crisis? At ease, at ease. But don't ask more from me. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

Good evening at the 13th off March, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was a dreary and cloudy day in the Netherlands. 

*

This afternoon was for statement baking. I baked my own thought out banana cake, in the Nordic Ware Heritage bundt pan, full size. 

It's a full size Peace statement. Pro peace in Ukraine. Nordic Ware is not official statement, I never heard they are, but I almost declare their Heritage bundt pan the statement pan. It's just not up to me to do so. Just like Banana cake not being official 'statement cake.' 

We have something good with our coffees this weekend at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk. And this morning, I rocked coffee service with red lipstick on. First statement this morning. I got people complimenting me on it. They understand red lipstick, no matter how old they are. It really should make it headlines, front page somewhere, this nice statement cake off mine. I just think, or rather suspect, I'm too unimportant to the world. As far as that still excists. The world is a shady place nowadays, and it's not as freely connected anymore as it was. I think it doesn't matter if I bake. But to some people this is the world this weekend, and they are going to enjoy it with their afternoon coffee. I got enough for both Saturday and Sunday. It's a perfect statement. Just not for the headlines, or Time magazine, and fellow clients barely wish to understand. It's just the perfect statement cake in my opinion. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

Good evening at the 28th off February, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was grey and rainy in The Netherlands. 

*

Every often, when I feel poor, I send a postcard to grandma, I do the laundry, and then do my nails. I don't know why, I feel a little more rich when doing so, though my postcards nowadays are donated by mom, including the poststamps, laundry wash comes from the storage room, and my nailpolish is cheap. But it's a certain way off maintaining which requires small luxury. It does when I feel broke. It causes good moods, among myself, grandma and care staff, and it gives more off a clue when I feel low on money. it works. I'm not Buddha, teaching others how to solve things a certain way, nor a preacher telling you what to believe. But it's a tip and maybe you got something onto it when you feel poor. A feeling most off us can't escape these days. But maybe you feel better by performing these small acts. Though I have to be honest, mom donated the postcards and the poststamps. And the laundry wash did not came in cheap, but I've been hoarding it. And washing with it feels luxurious and my laundry is done and smells nice. And yes, cheap nailpolish, but 'on the shelves.' In fancy colours and with shines in them. Mainly by Essence or Catrice. You feel a little more fancy when you've done so. 

What also gives that certain feeling nowadays, and what keeps me truly happy, is to perfectly bake a basic, plain pound cake and share it at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk ment for mental patients. It's nothing more fancy than just simple cake, but you should see how happy it makes people. A slice off fresh cake with their plain coffee on a Sunday afternoon. They're so gratefull. It's not much for a hobbyist like me, who is used to much more decadent bakings, but I still got this. And it's a bit off appropriate pride to bake 'em perfect every time nowadays. Simply to keep up spirits and not get cranky. As someone who always has been poor in my youth, I know what it's like to live with little. And we should not let it get the best off us. It's less than my old way off baking, but at least we have it and it still makes them happy and gratefull. I think I'm going to remind that about them. How little it took for them to be gratefull. A slice off fresh made cake, a cup off fresh brewed coffee, to sing a nice song for them- and I make their day with it. To me it's as if these nice people are happy with almost nothing. And it works for me. Maybe since they're older. If they where my age or younger, I think they would be more spoiled. But these people are so gratefull, I love it. There's a certain Japanese wisdom about being kind. I believe in it when it comes to this. I'm not perfect at being kind all the time, but I try. It's hard to stay kind nowadays, and it's impossible to keep on seeing the good in people. I failed at that, but I did not fail in my attempt at local kindness. I grid my teeth, and I keep on trying. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.    

  

Good afternoon at the 22th off February, 2025, 2.

 Good afternoon everyone, 

Today is a dreary day in the Netherlands, it's somewhat warmer than a few days ago, but it's still grey and dark. 

*

Today was for baking a cake from scratch. 

Without a package, own bought eggs, but with self-rising flour. It's been made according to the basics off baking cake. It might not seem like much, and it's for our Sunday afternoon coffee. But please remember that in crisis Netherlands, cream butter and eggs are already expensive. It might seem simple, but we should take these times in consideration. Still, I wanted to bake a good ordinairy cake. And to share it tomorrow since it keeps them a bit more happy than what they usually are. I mean fellow clients. To keep people feeling a bit nice, despite everything. It's the basic cake receipe, but made really well. To beat more air in the batter, and to bring it to nice taste. It's plain, but it's pride in all it's commonness nowadays. And yes, they love it. It's good enough for shabby old fellow clients with their fresh cup off coffee on a Sunday. Crisis Netherlands, it's plain, but we can live. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.   

Good evening at the 15th off February, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

It's been grey all day in the Netherlands, without rain. 

*

Yesterday, my cake tasted utmost delicious and was a real treat to the public eating a slice at de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk. These fancy pastry plates come from a donation a store did to us some time ago. They look Belle enough to me. People really enjoyed it at Valentine's day, and it didn't cause darm cramps. So it was a good idea. 

Today was for preparing this 'Boerencake.' From a donated package, with donated eggs and left over cream butter. I got this serving plate from a give away shop. Tomorrow at a common Sunday afternoon it looks like a whole lot off something. I gave credit to the person who donated with a Facebook post. The cake came out whole and even, but it's because I use baking spray and flour in molds alltogheter. It really works. It's for de Boed, community centre in Zaandijk with their afternoon coffee on a Sunday.

I play this farmstyle Belle to an art. At least what I consider a countryside vintage Belle. It's retro, it's cheap, but do I give an idea off luxury and style to those poor people? I just don't know how they see it. All I know is they love it. They love the food. I think they barely care about the style I put it in. I had no comments, either negative or positive, about my retro style. And I just think it's adjust and it's somewhat comforting nowadays. It's really nice in my opinion. And it's really Zaandijk chique. The chique old fashioned. And given the audience, you can't put it any less polite. I wrote to my grandma in a postcard: 'At least Spring will be fine this year in Zaandijk.' And that we can be sure about. This place is old fashionedly decadent and covered in Spring flowers each year. Mainly daffodils. And that's what stands this year. It's really nice to put pictures off it on here this year. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.  

 

Good evening at the 13th off February, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was dreary, cold and almost hauntedly grey at Gortershof, Zaandijk. 

*

I'm typing you this while my nails dry. I'm wearing the soft pink pearl lacquer from the Catrice advent calendar from previous year. It's a cloud off purpleish pink, shiny with a soft glitter. Wearing pearl during a crisis? How dare you! 

I think I'm inspired by a care taker who does so, it's a fancy middle aged Muslim woman who always looks pulled togheter and wears fancy pearl nail polish. She's the real queen off pearl nailpolish at de Boed. Maybe I try to copy her. and my pearls are not expensive, and I think far from offensive. And it looks fancy, but it's a Catrice one. If you really want to look like you made it- wear pearl nailpolish, it doesn't matter how expensive it actually was. Or just wear it to be a bit out off line. It's beautifull, but it's not in fashion. 

Tomorrow it's Valentine's day. But I have no one and my head just isn't onto it. Maybe I should do something Really anti, like this one Valentine's day where I made creamy mustard soup. But it's too late, I already made cake for it. Something really anti, like wearing a yellow or a green, and just sit out the most unromantic headache you can have with it, while having potato cake. But it's heart-shaped. I have a terrible headache, for a few weeks now. It hurts so much these days I can't cook for myself. I had to fry eggs tonight for dinner. I was thinking off just doing unromantic house chores. But honest, I think it's surviving this headache tomorrow. Usually, this feeling vanishes. It's just that it's been holding on for a while. All I know is we're going to see if potato is a good idea in Valentine's cake tomorrow. I hope those 80 year olds can take it. I mentioned we have a lot off women in their early 80's at de Boed recently. They still look fresh and modern, you'd almost forget they're 80. But their youth was during the 60's and 70's, so you can't expect them to look dull. I think theyr're in for it. They just look somewhat fragile. But they're really sweet and cool for grannies. I hope I did well on that cake. I copy their music. And what de Boed think is adjust for their taste in music. Sometimes it's really funny, sometimes it's really cool and I like what they play. They're cool old women. 

Is there anything more anti- Valentine than sharing potato cake with old women at a daycare centre? It's heart shaped, and it's ment to celebrate Valentine's day, but more like a small celebration. Ed? my ass. I'm not in for it. I should dress nice, but not romantic. There's no one for me and there never has been. I've heard in the coffee room during my shift this morning, that coffee harvest failed in Brazil. And the shelves are hamstered empty at grocery stores. It's almost criminal with these prices to still have the black gold for us each day, morning, noon and evening. But we have it and that's what I believe. We have coffee during these days. And it's a better miracle than having the dragonslayer. 

I hope my headache won't feel too much like dying tonight, and I will survive and get over with it. But it's not something I can do, it comes up and it fades. I just took pain medication, but it's still there. I have the luck not to have someone tomorrow, I can sit out this pain at ease in my own home. Deal with the cramps, and be as annoying as I need to be dealing with my disease. 

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading. 

    

Good evening at the 12th off February, 2025.

 Good evening everyone, 

Today was dreary and cold in old Zaandijk, Netherlands. It's good I did not let it get the best off me. It's almost haunted when it's as dreary as this. 

*

This is my Valentine's cake for this year. It contains potato, orange and chocolate chips, and it's been enlarged from the Aviko receipe, (Aviko is a potato brand, They also sell Pommes duchesses, Pommes Parisiennes and fries. but I used freshly mashed potatoes instead off their mashed potatoes.) from their free potato cookbook. It's dedicated to Ed the dragonslayer. But I think he doesn't even know my name. It's been fun to make this, and people will have a slice off this with their afternoon coffee, at Valentine's day. Do I take it serious? No. Did I want to make something 'dedicated to love, for my people at de Boed.'? Yes, that's merely it. We're about to find out if mashed potato is a good idea in a cake. This heart shape just does it at Valentine's day. And it was a good excuse to use my baking skills again. It's been fun preparing this. And it's milk chocolate chips instead off dark. Like the receipe intended. This whole 'Ed the dragonslayer'- crush is fading. But do we celebrate Valentine's day alltogheter? Yes, we do. 

   Oh, come on. Valentine's day would be as dry as a rat's ass, the streetbricks have more to celebrate than we do, but do we have cake? I just hope I won't regret too much that I loved Ed the dragonslayer. For his manliness and his chest muscles. Those are all the right reasons for a marriage, offcourse, (No, I'm sarcastic.) but I better don't. I feel I'm not sane and safe enough. But we have cake on Valentine's day.

Allright, that's about it for now- 

Thank you for reading.