Mary Astor 1920s

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Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer [Blog Update]

As I'm looking out of the window, the hot summer sun is reflected in the windows and cars. The mornings are already very warm, and as the day goes on, the day gets even hotter. Thoughts of beaches and the sea are still distant, but as summer vacations are approaching even they are crossing my mind. 

Days of Summer

Another thing keeping me busy is work, and that is until mid-July, when we go on break. A first short trip has already been planned for that first weekend when we have off. But more on that when the time comes. So what is it about summer that makes the heart grow fonder? A song comes to mind...

Summer Vacation Plans

Keeping in mind the previous bit about the massive workload right now, I haven't even found time to think about this years summer vacation. Last year I went to Sibenik and posted a massive 9-part Travel Series, that to this date is still the most viewed and read travel series on this blog. Check it out under the link above if you haven't seen it.

This year will be calmer and I think we will only go on a short 4 day trip to the beach. I have ordered some new photo gear, which will probably arrive until the end of July, so I'm looking forward to that as well. It's a new lens, I wanted to buy for a long time, but needed to save up so that I could get it. A full review will be posted once I get it.

Back to Work

Even though work is crazy, there will be lots of new posts, travel and lifestyle related. Have you seen my latest Chocolate Donuts Recipe? You should definitely try them. Have you made any plans for your summer vacation? How is summer treating you?

Lili Damita by Kenneth Alexander 1920s

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Baked Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Glaze Recipe

I recently purchased a doughnut baking mold, and ever since then I'm on the lookout for the perfect baked donuts recipes. I have made a couple, but this chocolate version is a real showstopper and indulgent treat. The recipe makes for 6 Donuts, which is conveniently the number of molds you get in the baking pan. It's a better alternative then frying Donuts, which usually adds lots of oil and calories. Leave the cocoa powder out and add some vanilla bean paste to the mix and you have excellent vanilla Donuts. You can really make lots of variations with this recipe. 

 

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Donuts
130 gr (1 cup) of flour
50 gr (1/4 cup) of sugar
2 tbsp dark brown sugar (muscovado sugar)
30 gr (1/4 cup) of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
120 ml (1/2 cup) of milk (add more if mix is to dry)
1 egg
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 tbsp of butter, melted

For the Glaze:
180 gr (1 cup) of dark or milk chocolate, chopped up or use chips
120 ml (1/2 cup) milk or cream

Method

1. Measure and place all your dry ingredients for the donuts in a bowl, then measure out the liquid ones. Ingredients should be at room temperature. Mix dry ingredients together, add the liquid ones, and stir until they combine and you have a batter.

2. Spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut mold, which you have oiled before. Place in a preheated oven of 160C (325F) and bake for 14 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the doughnut comes out clean.

3. Lets make the Glaze! In a microwave proof jug add the milk (or cream if you want thicker consistency) and the chocolate. Melt in short intervals in the microwave, stirring in between. You can also make this on the stove in a deep pan.

4. After the Donuts have come out the oven, let them cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then take them out and let them cool more.

5. Glaze the donuts with your chocolate glaze and let them rest so that the glaze can set. You can also place them in your fridge so that the chocolate can firm up quicker.

Enjoy your donuts!

What do you think of this baked alternative. Do you like donuts?

Where I'm Linking To

The Passing Show of 1916

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Leila Hyams

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15 Sunny Landscapes to get you in the Summer Mood

Summer Vacations are just around the corner, but there is this small stretch of time left until they are here. I have not yet made any plans for the 2015 summer season, but in order to get inspired I sifted through the vast archives of my photo library in search for previously unreleased summer shots. Some of these are new, some my personal favorites. I hope they will do to you what they did for me, and that is relax and calm me. So without further ado here are 15 Sunny Landscapes to get you in the Summer Mood.

click on the images for a bigger view

1. Those Lazy Days of Summer

2. A Quiet Place

 

3. Playtime in the Sea

 

4. Arriving

 

5. Through the Forest

6. Outside

7. As the Day Ends

8. Departure

 

9. Ready for Bed

 

10. Endless

 

11.  A Golden Goodbye

12. Entering the Woods

 

13. Resting...

 

14. Lookout

 

15. And Straight on 'til Morning

What is your favorite one? What gets you in a Summer Mood?

Where I'm Linking To

The Statue of Liberty

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Julia Margaret Cameron

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Summer in the Mountains [Part 2/2]: Into the Woods

We continue our stay in the mountains, as the day rears its head towards sunset. The dogs were jumping around as we reached the bottom of the valley. The journey so far was very enjoyable, but after our rest in the valley, the hike up hill waited for us. Luckily, the sights along the way made up for the heavy steps.

This is a two part photo series, and includes the following parts:

Part 1: A Hike into the Valley
Part 2: Into the Woods

click on the images for a bigger view

The Fountain

For a lack of a better word, I'm calling this small structure in the valley a fountain, even though it's a combination of a water spring and a kitchen tap. Anyway, the dogs had a place to drink some fresh water (Beni even stayed in a pool of water that had collected at the bottom of the fountain). We took a few shots here, until eventually heading up hill.

The way out is the way through

I love this view that greeted us as soon as we started walking back. A lonely, isolated mountain house was build on the entrance of the woods. Our path would also lead us through the forest, so I was really excited to capture the sights inside.

A herd of sheep was resting under a big tree. The shade provided some much needed shelter from the sun. The temperature was low, but the sun can still burn you here if you are exposed to it for long.

Entering the Woods

Inside the woods you could really sense the calm of this place. We were shielded from the sun and the soft breeze of the wind could be heard. The path gives some nice views on either side of it and I tried to capture as much as I could.

Returning Home

To some of you this sight will be familiar. I took some shots from here in my post titled "Misty Valley of the river Neretva". It was nice to revisit the location at a different time of day. This time there was no fog so you could see the valley of the Neretva much clearer. I parked my car on the side of the road, we took some more shots from here, until eventually returning home.

The End

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