Daylight Carbs

Trends are there to be obeyed and so we finally cut back on carbs after dark... but there are the occasional daylight meals.

So later today we are invited to a birthday tea. Since we have never been to such an event we have no clue what is being served, we thought stocking up on carbs for lunch might not be the worst of ideas...

Penne with broccoli topped with cherry tomatoes slow fried in sage and butter from milk of Piedmontese cattle.

Urban Green

In the age of sustainable living, the path to happiness goes through home-grown outdoor plants. This especially applies for townsfolk as we are. Thus we also avoided to be offside, followed the Zeitgeist and invested all our energy (and a lot of our money) into the plants on the balcony of our residence.























Of course, wreckful hailstorms are also a part of the Zeitgeist and of them met our geraniums a week ago. And meanwhile a fungus seize the opportunity and settled in with them. Though we are certain to overcoming this adversity as well.

Pentecost Gave Sun a Chance

The last about four weeks have been a complete disaster. It was far too cold and far too wet. But finally for Pentecost, the weather changed its mind and gave sun a chance.



We used this opportunity to complete the plant scheme for this summer. Only the chilli plants are missing. They will follow next week. Then we are ready.

Pimp My Balcony

I finally made it back from India on Friday. Lufthansa's booking system was a tiny bit overstretched with the situation and indicated my booking often as cancelled (though not always), however, everything went just fine.

Thus I could enjoy an almost summer like weekend, however, our balcony was far from ready for summer.



I like to store certain things on the balcony of our residence. We haven't got a cubby, so there is no alternative place for gardening tools, bike maintenance tools and garbage to for recycling.

The problem is, that there are hardly any durable outdoor storage furniture available. As a (too long term) intermediate solution I once bought these really cheap plastic chest of drawers, which really have fallen into ruin.

After a long quest and over-stretching Toño's patience, I finally came across Container DS, which were designed by Kuno Nüssli for MAGAZIN®.



This sideboard system is inspired by oversea freight containers and thus is made of durable metal. It is not an outdoor furniture but it should be fit for the task.



We spent all Saturday cleaning the balcony, getting rid of waste, re-potting plants and potting new herbs. Now summer may come :)

Saturday Flowers

on the balcony of our residence

Catching a Glimpse of Spring

Sometimes changes are a bit too steep. Only last Friday, I was wading through snow in North Jutland, and today we already enjoyed our first balcony lunch of the year in short sleeves and shorts (6.3°C/43.3°F, blaring sunshine).



And yes, we have already some disagreement on this year's planting scheme, although there are still 3 months to go until the Icy Saints, which usually mark planting season.

And yes, there is also a bit sorrow, when I think of all the books I'd planned to read during the long and cold winter nights. But I should not count the chickens before they are hatched. Snow might come back any time.

The Tempest

I fear the worst for our plants on the balcony. The hailstones were big and there were plenty of them...



By the way: violet is really bad and we're right underneath it.

I was on the phone with my mother and I could hardly hear her. I had to use the landlines. The mobile signal went just flat.

Planting A Hot 2009

The chilies are planted.



This Summer will be hot again. We have got a habanero from the Maldives, tiny bastards from Mauritius, and the must-have chili Peri-Peri a.k.a. African Devil.

Spring Awakening

My return from India was highly appreciated since the garden geranium needed to be pruned and a soil replacement. Thus on Saturday, Toño and I went to my clan's residence, where we can keep our garden geranium at the right temperature in the almost 400 year old cellar with meter thick walls.



From exactly there, some more disturbing news arrived yesterday. My brother and my father had an argument which resulted in my father walking away. My mother and siblings had no other choice than to call the coppers when night fell. Luckily those had the right instincts and found him rapidly. My father can be stubborn as a teenager. He refused to get in their car. An officer had to walk him home.

It's Getting Hotter

Do you remember those cute buggers?



Toño finally went to the supermarket, to purchase pot and soil in order to get them growing. He called to inquire whether he should get the too small or the too big pot. I ordered him to go for the bigger one. When he came back, showered in sweat, because he did not only had to hand-carry the pot but also 40 litre of soil, he declared that we are going to eat every single habanero chili these plants will ever produce!

Well, his efforts have paid off and the plants have gained admirably in size and posture. The pot seems just right now and the first fruits start to grow.



Lately, Toño started to cook hotter food. Officially, to clear my intestines from the parasites that I might have caught in India. However, I reckon, it's to prepare my taste buds for the dishes to come in a few weeks.

Balcony in Early June

On Mickle's request some pictures of the balcony (in rain).



Unfortunately, there will not be much time to enjoy it, since my next trip is scheduled for Monday. I'll go sailing for a week north of Zealand in Denmark.