Ontbitjkoek

It has been a long time since I bake anything and share it in the blog.

A few days ago I crave for something old fashioned, and remember this cake from my childhood time.  My auntie (my mom's younger sister) used to make this cake.

'Ontbijtkoek' is literally translated breakfast cake) or peperkoek (pepper cake) is a Dutch spiced cake. Rye is its most important ingredient, coloring the cake a light brown. It is often spiced with cloves, cinnamon, ginger,succade and nutmeg. Several parts of the Netherlands have their own local recipe, of which the most famous is "Oudewijvenkoek" (old wives' cake) which is mostly eaten in the northern regions, and is flavored withaniseed. Ontbijtkoek is traditionally served at breakfast with a thick layer of butter on top, as a replacement for bread. However, due to its sweet taste it is also served as a snack. (from : Wikipedia).

But the one we know in Indonesia is a light cake type.  And we used the 'Spekkoek' spices or 'Bumbu lapis legit' (known as the spiced thousand layer cake which is very heavy in butter and eggs).

The recipe I got from the book 'Kue Nostalgia Belanda' or 'Netherlands Nostalgic Cake', its very simple.

Ingredients :

5 eggs

125 grms palm sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilli powder

1 tsp. cake emulsifier

125 gram all purpose flour  ]

1 tsp. spekkoek spices        ]      sift together

almond or kenari slices

How to :

1. Using electric mixer mix eggs, palm sugar, cake emulsifier and vannili until white and fluffy.

2. Pour sifted flour and spekkoek spices, mix well with wooden spoon or spatula.

3. Pour into loaf tin which has been smeared with margarin/oil and flour.  Put almond slices/kenari if using.

4.  Bake in oven (180 - 190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes until done.  Take out of the oven, but leave it in the tin for another 10 minutes then take out of the thin.

5.  Serve .

Enjoy your 'ontbijtkoek' or breakfast cake .....

Omslaagsjaal or Wrap Finish

Finally the Saskia omslaagsjaal is finish.  I am really satisfied with the result.

It’s warm but not hot and since it is made with cotton yarn it’s keeps its shape.

Spring time has also arrived in Finland although it is cold when the wind is blowing.  So still wearing jacket when I go out, but not for my son he only have his t-shirt and College … of he goes on the scootie.

Have a nice sunny weekend everyone ...

Bye for now

Saskia’s Omslagsjaal a.k.a. wrap

Just yesterday I was browsing thru some blogs that I followed and when I saw this wrap I know that I have to make it, I looked into my yarn stash and found 5 balls that I want to use for this wrap.

This is made with Tennesse Novita yarn, which is a cotton yarn.  The first few rows I use a 3,5mm but then decided to go up to 4mm hook and happy with the result as it drapes more and feels softer.

I also got a little help from Spud of Bob the Builder when taking some pictures.

more to come next week ... so don't forget to come by ..

Denim Tranquality Shawl

Finally I have something to write this year ....

I have a couple of balls Alpaca yarn from Drops Design, I wasn't sure what I want to make with it when I bought them. And suddenly after browsing through other blogs and I saw this shawl in De Haakzolder blog I suddenly felt this is the one I want to use this yarn for.  So I went to Drops website to look for the pattern and you can find it here.

I use the blue color hues and think to add red for the lace border. I called mine Denim Tranquality because I see the colors like denim colors,

Pattern : Tranquality by Drops Design
Yarn used: Alpaca 6205 (light blue), 6309 (darker blue),
6790 (dark blue)

Thanks for coming by ..... until next blog ...

Flower Granny Square

It's Saturday and everything goes a little slow at home.  Don't have to wake up before 6 o'clock is a nice thing once in a while.

I was browsing at some pages in face book that I liked and come across Dada's Place where she share about her crochet designs and I am totally in love with her blanket that is the Flower Granny Square blanket.  And I just happen to have some of the same color she use in her tutorial.

Here are some of the squares that I made, am very happy with the result.

I used hilla cotton yarn from teetee, it's Finnish yarn and they come in great color.

Have a nice weekend everyone ......

CAL deken week 18

Yes, I am behind with the CAL blanket project but slowly catching up.
Have another blanket in the making also but I will tell you all in another post.  This one is actually now already in week 32, I have just print the rest of the pattern and crocheting slowly but sure everyday now.

Here it is I finally add some bold color as I thought it looks so cold, I just use any acrylic yarn I have at hand and add some new color when I see some are nearly gone.  So this blanket may have finish in colors differently from when I start it.

I still love how it turns our, maybe because I am making it myself .... 

Anyway, more next week on this blanket ... let's see how far I will managed to do this week.

Crochet Orange Clutch

Hallo again, it's been sometime since I last post.  Yes I know, I promise to post more often but it still is not happening.  Anyway, here is the story behind my Orange Clutch ... (not exactly mine actually):

Orange clutch
Novita Huvila, hook 2,25mm

Last week my cousin ask me if I can make a clutch for to put her wallet and phone when she goes out for lunch at work.  And I said yes .... I didn't even know what it would be like but I just say yes.  

She wanted orange as it is one of her favorite color at the moment ....

So after looking for some idea on pinterest, I come up with this shell motif and all the time I just change how it will look like as the final product.  The reason for the changes was that she has quiet a big wallet from the measurements she gave me, so I checked all the time if it was okay.  Finally I add the side so it will be a bit thick.  It's now finish ... well almost finish, I am making the handle at the moment and still have to line it.  Taking the time, while my mind is already in vacation.

Hopefully she will be happy with the end result ....

Thanks for trusting me with making the clutch sweet cousin ...

Have a nice Sunday everybody ...