Slow-Baked Organic Cookies from Farm Brothers

Back in December my husband and I whisked ourselves away for a few days to spend our wedding anniversary in Amsterdam. We stayed at The Hoxton hotel which by the way I can totally recommend! Each afternoon we’d relax in their restaurant and I’d drink pots of tea reading the paper. Now my only reason for ordering more and more tea was simply because on the side of my saucer was a delicious chocolate cookie! Now because these cookies are something else I eventually asked what they were and together with my very patient husband I went on a mission to find them.

It turns out they are made by two brothers, Herman and Tyler, who call themselves Farm Brothers. They decided to leave their day jobs behind to follow their dreams and make delicious and wholesome organic snacks. We tasted the chocolate and sea salt cookies which were divine. I’ve since found the ginger and lemon ones and they are just as delicious.

I’ve stocked up on all three flavours of Farm Brothers cookies and the children are so happy when I bring them out for snack time. I love how Florence was playing ‘eeny meeny miny moe’ with them the other day!

You can buy Farm Brothers in the Netherlands from Marqt, Bijenkorf, van Heinde & Natuurwinkel or simply spend an afternoon at The Hoxton hotel and order a pot of tea.

Vanessa x

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My girls’ shared bedroom

I wanted to share with you some pictures of my daughters’ room, as it is sadly very likely going to have to change. The girls are starting to get too tall to fit into their space.

You see, the girls have always shared a room, as do a lot of children in Paris. Our flats are relatively small over here and every extra meter is a luxury. The girls have always quite liked sharing, but also both needed space for themselves. As we were not going to move anytime soon, I decided to divide the room horizontally rather than vertically.  That way I created a few of the precious extra square meters. It has been a great success. The girls can talk and play together, but they can also take themselves away when they want to. My inspiration was actually a doll house!

Now, not one single time in the 4 years that the girls’ room has been this way has anyone fallen off the top, though there have been a lot of jumping competitions with mattresses and pillows pilled up at the bottom.

It is also a room that is not very designed or always super tidy. Again as we live in a relatively small space, I wanted the girls to feel like it is their little den. They were allowed to choose the colour of their “rooms” and also hang up what they want on the walls. There have also been numerous performances on the top level with the audience sitting down below.

I am going to miss this little room and am still trying to figure out a good configuration for taller girls. (I actually would love it if they started growing a little bit more slowly ;)).

PS. The top photo was taken by the lovely Emily Ulmer. The middle one is from my Instagram feed whilst the bottom one is of little Caspar playing in our flat last summer.

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1 of 4 | License Photograph

WASHINGTON – Washington Nationals starting up pitcher Stephen Strasburg explained it was back again tightness that compelled him in direction of go away right after pitching exactly 4 innings upon Sunday.

Nonetheless 4 relievers, 2 pinch-hitters and still left fielder Jayson Werth excess than selected up the slack for Washington, which is seeking toward desperately in direction of live alive inside the Nationwide League East office race.

Leadoff male Werth experienced a homer, double, wander and 3 RBIs, and the Nationals, regardless of one more abbreviated commence by means of Strasburg, battled back again in direction of combat the Miami Marlins 7-4.

“I tried out towards fight all through it. It is just about anything challenging in direction of demonstrate,” explained Strasburg, who unsuccessful toward pitch 5 innings for the 6th period this 12 months. “The offense picked out me up. The offense arrived during currently.”

The Nationals (66-63) received their fourth collection within a row yet remained 5 ½ online games back again of the 1st-spot Clean York Mets, who overcome Boston 5-4.

“By yourself might look at the beat inside of the dugout,” stated Doug Fister, who obtained the acquire out of the bullpen. “Adult males had been producing Good performs” upon safety.

The bench arrived in the course of for Washington as past beginner Fister went 2 scoreless innings and pinch-hitter Clint Robinson strike a 2-function homer http://ift.tt/1TCOoAQ. For very good evaluate the other pinch-hitter, Matt den Dekker, doubled within the 8th nevertheless was stranded.

“I am moving in direction of move forward in the direction of be geared up Even though my popularity is known as,” stated Robinson, a 30-calendar year-previous starter who strike his 7th homer of the calendar year.

Miami (52-79) jumped out towards a 3-0 guide upon a homer as a result of very first baseman Justin Bour within the initial nonetheless the bullpen couldn’t continue to keep up following beginner Brad Hand (4-4) authorized 5 operates within just 4 2/3 innings and fell in the direction of 0-6 in opposition to the Nationals.

“He simply couldn’t generate some pitches there inside of hard predicaments every time he required in the direction of,” Marlins supervisor Dan Jennings reported.

The Marlins experienced a few hits within the initial inning versus Strasburg.

“It was Fantastic in direction of check out us bounce out the course we did,” Jennings stated. “Hence we gave Brad a tiny respiratory house there and that’s awesome in direction of comprise towards this ball club that swings the bat which include that.”

Strasburg, who experienced back again issues prior this 12 months, gave up 7 hits and 4 operates inside of 4 innings even though throwing simply just 60 pitches.

“He experienced some agony within just his higher back again,” claimed supervisor Matt Williams. “The pace arrived down a minimal little bit currently consequently we received him out of there. He experienced a small little bit of pain within the closing inning. We made the decision in direction of acquire him out of the ballgame. Yourself may possibly convey to with your eyes. We will offer him some prescription drugs and view wherever he is inside a several of times.”

Yet the offense stored the working day as Robinson smashed a 2-operate homer inside the 7th off reliever Erik Cordier in direction of offer you the Nationals a 7-4 direct. It was his initially job pinch-strike homer and fourth of the 12 months for Washington.

The Nationals experienced taken a 5-4 usefulness with a few operates inside the 5th Bruins Jerseys. Werth experienced an RBI double and immediately fielder Bryce Harper and shortstop Ian Desmond Brad Marchand Jersey, who walked a time-substantial a few days, experienced RBI singles from Hand.

Marlins still left fielder Derek Dietrich (2 hits) led off the fourth versus Strasburg with a solo homer — his job-large 10th of the 12 months — in the direction of offer his staff a 4-2 benefit. Strasburg strike 99 mph with his fastball inside his prior get started Tuesday at dwelling versus San Diego, nonetheless the fastball that Dietrich overwhelmed was clocked at 93 upon the stadium radar gun.

Werth’s 2-operate homer inside of the 3rd experienced pulled Washington in direction of in 3-2 http://ift.tt/1QwfBBd.

“He is undertaking properly inside the leadoff desired destination,” Williams claimed of Werth, who is hitting .325 with a few homers inside 10 game titles as the leadoff hitter.

Bour beaten a 3-function homer towards straight off Strasburg toward present the Marlins a 3-0 guide. It was the minute homer of the sequence for Bour, a content of George Mason College or university inside of Fairfax, Va., and fourth of his 137-match vocation in opposition to his hometown club.

Strasburg experienced authorized basically 5 operates within just his very last 4 commences with 32 strikeouts and a few walks inside 26 innings.

Felipe Rivero, Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon each individual pitched a scoreless inning for the Nationals.

Papelbon recorded his 22nd directly preserve this yr and 5th with the Nationals as he retired instant baseman Dee Gordon upon a grounder for the top out with 2 runners upon foundation.

Centre fielder Michael A. Taylor and 3rd baseman Anthony Rendon as well experienced 2 hits for Washington. Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria experienced a few hits for the Marlins, who experienced gained 6 of the preceding 11 video games in opposition to Washington.

“A Excellent offensive working day,” Williams reported of the 13 hits, which include 5 for excess bases.

NOTES: Washington LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-7, 4.11 Generation) will get started Monday at St. Louis towards Cardinals RHP John Lackey (11-8, 2.92 Generation). … The Marlins start off a collection Monday at Atlanta as LHP Chris Narveson (1-1, 7.04 Technology) will begin for Miami from RHP Mike Foltynewicz (4-6, 5.71 Technology). … Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman entered Sunday with RBIs inside 6 game titles within a row, and 5 of his preceding 6 hits have been for much more bases, which include a few homers. He was 1-for-4 with a one and no RBIs upon Sunday … Marlins 3B Martin Prado experienced a wander upon Sunday and incorporates obtained foundation inside of 25 of his remaining 26 online games. He entered Sunday hitting .333 in opposition to Washington this calendar year, with an common of .364 at Nationals Park. He was 0-for-3 in addition the wander upon Sunday.

Which include Us upon Fb for additional experiences versus UPI http://ift.tt/1TCOrg3.com Equivalent UPI StoriesReport: Nats’ Werth in direction of contain shoulder surgeryMLB: Washington 4, Milwaukee 3 (10 inn.)Nationals activate OF Jayson WerthNationals’ Werth undergoes wrist surgical treatment

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Journey to the River Sea, written by Eva Ibbotson

During my early days of teaching I picked up a first edition of this book and read it from cover to cover in two days. I fell in love with the idea of travelling through the Amazon and discovering its flora and fauna. Since reading it, I’ve used it as a class text several times and it’s also helped me teach English to students where it’s a second language. In fact, my original copy I gave away to a french student in Angola who was enjoying reading it as much as I did.

Now I’ve managed to get a new copy and I sat down with Helena yesterday to begin reading it. This morning I spotted her catching the early morning light totally engrossed (just like I was). So I thought I must share this one with you all.

Journey to the River Sea is a classic. It’s about an orphan girl, Maia, who is sent away to a distant relative living miles up the Amazon river. She imagines a life with a loving family but instead her two spiteful cousins make her life miserable. It’s not until she takes to the outdoors and discovers an exceptional world of pure delight through the wonders of the rainforest. And when she meets a mysterious boy who lives alone on the river bank the story becomes so exciting and engaging that you really can’t put this book down.

I highly recommend this book for confident readers or similarly it’s a wonderful read together at bedtime. But don’t be disappointed when your children ask to stay up late to read it!

Vanessa x

P.S. The audio book is just as delightful.

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Thursday’s Thoughts : Who do your children most admire?

Helena is now 8 years old and my husband and I are beginning to notice she’s looking further afield than her family for role models – she’s looking for someone to look up to, to inspire her. When she was younger she always looked up to either my husband and myself or to close family members, and just like all the parenting books say, ‘we need to practise what we preach’, I’d like to think we all did. We have shown her feelings like happiness (and sadness), consideration, self respect, patience, self-discipline, kindness, and encouragement. I’d also like to think we’ve shown her the appreciation of good food, the magic of travelling and exploring new places, the ability to make new friends and have an open mind to arts and culture. And I suppose we’ve naturally (instinctively) shown her who would make good friends and who we’d rather her not to hang out with.

But it wasn’t until I read an article about the incredible ballerina, Michaela dePrince, in an on-flight magazine recently that I started thinking about role models. In the article, Michaela explained she had always wanted to be an inspiration to young girls, and it reminded me that there are so many great role models for young children — people who will mould children and help them make healthy choices and achieve goals. Like Emma Watson, for instance, who is such a tremendously talented actress and well-read young women, or Jamie Oliver who has put the ‘bish, bash, bosh’ back into cooking, and Oliver Jeffers who creates the most wonderful illustrations.

It’s really had me thinking lately, and I’ve started asking friends who their children’s role models are.  Those with boys have confidently said sports people – Beckham and Federer amongst a few others. I asked my nephews and they said Epke Zonderland (who is a Dutch gymnast) and Paul van Loon (who is a Dutch writer). A few friends of Helena’s have said their class teacher and their Brownie leader which pleased me that it’s not just the media where children find their role models.

Perhaps to a point, we as parents are still influencing our children. I’d say I’m still giving Helena some guidance, for example I won’t allow her to watch MTV because there are so many negative role models out there too! I do see that her independence is increasing when she listens to her own choice of music, we encourage her to develop her sports abilities and talk of sports people who do strive in their field, we read books making a point to notice who the author is (and illustrator) and we continue to visit art galleries where’s shes now becoming more familiar with artists.

So who are your children’s role models? Are they in the media or part of their social circle? Do you encourage them to find positive ones? How do you feel about negative role models? I’d love to know your thoughts….please share.

Vanessa x

PS The image above is taken from the magazine with the article of Michaela DePrince

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Carrot Buns recipe

Talan celebrated his 2nd birthday last month and in his nursery children can’t bring cakes and sweets but can bring bread instead, which I love. So I found this amazing carrot bread buns recipe that I have to share with you.
These are so so so delicious and truly very simple and quick to make. You can’t go wrong, I promise.

Here is what you need to make about 15 – 20 buns:

50 g fresh yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
180g (2-3 large) carrots
1 tsp salt
250 cottage or ricotta cheese
1 tbsp butter
1 kg (7 cups) wholemeal spelt flour

1. Crumble yeast into about half the lukewarm water
2. Place the rest of the ingredients (don’t forget about the other half of water!) in a large bowl, add the yeast and water mixture and mix and knead until you get a smooth and firm dough. Add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky.
3. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour
4. Heat oven to 200°C
5. Now knead just a little bit more and cut into 15-20 pieces.
6. Roll into small balls and flatten a bit.
7. Bake for about 25 min
8. Now just brush those beauties with cold water, wait for a few minutes and enjoy!

Yes, really – this easy!

ps. I’m sorry for the blurry photo of my baby boy but I love this capture of him stealing grated carrots – isn’t he the sweetest? My little veggie lover.

-Polona

To read more from Polona, go to her cute blog Baby Jungle!

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French baby products

It’s funny, my friends and family seem to have babies in bursts, and at the moment I have new babies turning up around me — all over the place. So sweet! One of my favourite presents for newborns are French baby products, as there are some things you only seem to get over here and I, for one, really love them.

One of my all-time favourites is the Oléo Calcaire lotion which is what we use to wipe bottoms clean. It is environmentally friendly, baby-friendly and it puts a light protective film on the baby’s bum, protecting it from irritations. .

Serum Physiologique is something you find in every baby’s house in France. It’s basically a saline solution, and we use it to clean out gunky eyes and squirt it up noses to clean out more gunk. Doctors here don’t understand how parents in other countries manage to get rid of stuffy noses without this! (By the way the obsession with this goes way past the baby stage. There is also a grown up version of the serum).

It is funny how most countries have a distinct product they use for their kids and Mustela is the quintessential French clean baby smell. Almost all pharmacies stock it all over the country.

Though it is not a product as such, my favourite baby clothes come from my local supermarket Monoprix. The little onesies and clothes are simply perfect.

Emilie

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