Groningen, part 2 (the quaintest dutch city)

Two weeks ago I started telling you all about our trip to Groningen this past April (you can see part 1 here).  Today I thought I would share pictures of the city with you.  What I immediately noticed about the city of Groningen when I arrived was that it is seriously adorable.  The red brick buildings and all the colorful doors and window frames had me squealing all weekend.  There were cats sitting on benches everywhere and people toting two or more kids with them on their bicycles!   

Singing a summer song

This weekend was absolutely perfect, with 75 degree temperatures and plenty of sun.  I spent it down by the lake (our little city lake) on a picnic blanket, with fruit, iced tea, a book and Betty White by my side.  Later, joined by a friend, we rented a paddle boat and took a little spin around the lake....what summer dreams are made of.

Food on Friday: Blueberry lemon cupcakes

I love a good cupcake but am constantly disappointed by bakery versions, which are often dry or chewy.  I have come to find that the best cupcakes are homemade, from scratch and, believe it or not, not all that much work.  In the past, I have come across some pretty spectacular recipes (here, here) and this is most definitely one of them! 

Happy Independence Day!

Just wanted to pop in and say happy 4th of July!  I hope everyone is having a lovely day.  It turned out not to be all work for me after all and I made these lovely lemon blueberry cupcakes and had a picnic in the park.  What a fantastic day! Oh, and I wore red, white and blue to work just for fun ;-) 

Enjoy the fireworks this evening! 

Celebrate the 4th with food!

In honor of the big red, white and blue holiday tomorrow, here are a few recipes that I would looooveee to make if I were living it up tomorrow in the U.S.A.  

Since, I have to work, you will have to enjoy the fireworks, BBQ and lemonade for me.  Have a great 4th!  

1. Sweet Potato Chickpea Patties with Dilly Cucumbers

Groningen, part 1 (a bike ride through Dutch countryside)

Several months ago (all the way back in April) Peter and I went to Groningen in the Netherlands to visit our good friend Nico.  He's been studying there for the past two years and we figured it was finally time to see what his life up there was all about.