{JOIE DE VIVRE}

JOIE DE VIVRE - JOY OF LIVING...

Words written down in my poetry album; by a dear friend of mine.

Back home in The Netherlands, as well as in Germany it is called a Poesie Album.

 As a little girl I received one as soon as I could write and when that first one became full, another one followed. Even in my adult years I've added a very fancy one that I bought in Québec City, Canada, one that is made from hand-made paper... Very romantic. 

It would be interesting for you to see the utterly romantic version, almost ANGELIC looking Poesie Album; made by Elvira from Rosengärtchen.

Just visit her blog, she has a translator and you also can go to her shop, to the right on her blog. She is so talented and I'm privileged for having purchased so far, four of her handmade items. Where in the world can one find this kind of high quality romantic needle-work?! Quite a breath of fresh air, compared with the mass produced items that we're flooded with these days...

But I also want to share the poem written for me by dear friend Bette. We lived at the same apartments in Shillington, Pennsylvania at that time... Just before moving to Italy.

Again we have contact, thanks to INTERNET!

Thanks again Bette! You don't know what those words meant to me... 

Indeed, I'm very lucky for having a 'joie de vivre' that most search a lifetime for.

Maybe it's because I believe in Angels; like my dear sister whose name I bear and whose life I try to live. In my previous blog of November 23, I did mention that.

Elvira from Rosengärtchen also has this 'joie de vivre' as she's quite a spunky lady, living in Hamburg, Germany. 

You should see the gorgeous Christening gowns she makes! 

Also her own garments she makes in a skillful way.

Once in a while we come across such special people that touch our hearts big time!

♥

{TO LOVE AND BE LOVED}

JUST A WEEKEND FILLER

PERFECT FOR ENDING THE THANKSGIVING DAY SPIRIT...

TO LOVE AND BE LOVED IS TO FEEL THE SUN FROM BOTH SIDES

David Viscott

♥

Hope all of you did travel well, for those that went to visit with family and friends.

Stay warm and have a safe and happy weekend!

{SUPERFOOD For Your HEART ♥ CRANBERRIES}

Nine days ago, I did email several Cranberry recipes to Nora from SeelenSachen (SoulThings) an Austrian blogger friend. She just had purchased fresh cranberries and asked anyone for a recipe. Below will follow my favorite recipe; one that I could not email to Nora.

 It seems that in Austria fresh cranberries are becoming popular as well.
According to the USDA , cranberries rank 6th in total antioxidant capacity out of over 100 common foods, making them an Antioxidant Superfood.

At +Costco Wholesale I did buy mine and they were really great quality. 

  Just like to share my favorite recipe with you:

  Cranberry Conserve
 MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS 
PREP: 10 MIN., COOK: 30 MIN., CHILL: 3 HRS 
4 cups cranberries = 500g

1 cup orange juice = 250 ml

1 orange

1 cup dried cranberries = 120 g 

2½ cups sugar = 400 g (I used 40 g of Splenda)

½ cup finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)

   Rinse cranberries.

COMBINE cranberries and 1 cup orange juice in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 to 8 minutes or until cranberry skins pop.

 GRATE rind of orange; peel, seed, and dice orange. Stir together cranberries, orange, grated rind, dried cranberries, sugar (Splenda) and pecans (walnuts).

COOK over low heat, stirring often, 20 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat, and cool. Chill at least 3 hours.

When I made mine, I doubled the recipe which I adapted from the original recipe in 'Southern Living' Cranberry Conserve December 2003.