A less ordinary day

There is nothing better than a party at home, whether small or large, with a group of friends (my family lives abroad) or friendly colleagues. These are occasions where everyone is so comfortable that they feel they are in their own house.

I love these gatherings and it gives me immense pleasure to prepare them. I feel happy to go shopping for the menu, pick the flowers, order the cake (when I can’t make one), decorate the table...put on the red lipstick...this is very important when one is cooking...hahaha.

I only show a few of my parties here. As you know, I’m not one of those people who show very personal things in public, but I feel like I want to share with you (like last year) the birthday dinner I laid on for Sweetheart.

For his recent birthday celebration, I made it very simple - the opposite of last year.

For this intimate dinner at home, I wanted to feel comfortable but pretty. I wore this old denim miniskirt with a timeless white shirt and, for a whimsical touch, this necklace from Zalando. As we planned to go out after dinner to our preferred bar downtown, I chose this practical baby bag just to hold the essentials.

My table was decorated with recycled objects like this jam jar, which I found really cute, and added these trinkets and a few candles in their pretty holders.

The celebration started with a dinner. I prepared the Hungarian speciality, Beef Goulash. Sweetheart chose the menu, and I was glad to be able to make the things he likes so much for his birthday.

After dinner, he blew out the candles. The birthday cake was his favourite - Forêt Noire - which I ordered at the Manor cake shop. It was a pure delight...I strongly recommend their yummy cakes.

Then we drank a toast and he opened the small gifts that I had offered him, like this old-fashioned metal placard.  When I saw it, I thought it would make a great gift and a reminder - because Sweetheart’s office at home tends to get messy...hahaha…you see this man is not perfect!!

…I remember when I first met him, one of the things that attracted me was his great sense of humour!!!

I wish you all a sweet and tender day.

Risk poem by William Arthur Ward

I adore this poem because life has proved me that each time we take a risk, we win, we learn, we feel stronger, we feel happier, we feel invincible... By the way, have you noticed that bad luck is afraid of determined people?!!

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental

To reach out for another is to risk involvement

To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self

To place your ideas and your dreams before a crowd is to risk embarrassment

To love is to risk not being loved in return

To live is to risk dying

To hope is to risk despair

To try is to risk failure

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing at all.

The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing, and may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live.

Chained by their certitudes, they are slaves

They have forfeited their freedom

Only a person who risks is truly free

Photo: My first selfies taken at Mum's house last summer

My favourites places for a drink in Geneva – PART II

Les Brasseurs

Place de Cornavin 20, 1201 Genève

I love having a beer with a yummy Flammekueche at this iconic place in the centre of town. They serve lovely Swiss specialties and daily special lunch options. Les Brasseurs produce their own beer. You can choose a tasting menu of various beers. The vibrant atmosphere and the decor add an impressive touch.

Café du Rond-Point

Rond-Point de Plainpalais 2, 1205 Genève

Every time I walk through Plainpalais, I go past this place and it was only this year that I managed to fit in a visit. It’s a nice and interesting café frequented by all sorts of people. Consistently serves up simple ingredients, fuss free dining, a spontaneous and seasonal menu and, above all, good quality fare. Near the banking quarter and the university area.

Arthur’s Rive Gauche

Rue du Rhône 7, 1204 Genève

A unique setting, ideally located beside the Rhône with a beautiful view of the Jet d’Eau. Friendly and professional staff, great for a drink or a meal in a classy place!

Chez Philippe

Passage des Lions, Rue du Rhône 8, 1204 Genève

Nice decor, impeccable service. The food is delicious, according to Sweetheart, who had some business lunches there. BTW, mostly frequented by business people, but no worries, they don’t bite...in fact, they are cool!

Demi Lune Café

Rue Etienne-Dumont 3, 1204 Genève

A great bar and restaurant for all occasions to chill out with friends, colleagues, or a date... a must! Located in the Old Town it has an original decor, warm atmosphere and friendly staff. I have never eaten there, but have been told that the food is good!

Queen Victoria Bar-Restaurant

Rue du Grand-Bureau 16, 1227 Les Acacias

It is a little tucked away, but it’s a great place to immerse yourself in the local neighbourhood lifestyle and have a hearty meal at their restaurant. This modern bar offers quality bar food with a range of good beers and a short but nice cocktail menu. As a local bar, the ambiance is really warm and friendly. It is frequented by local regulars, walkers, office workers and families.

My favourites places for a drink in Geneva – PART I

Geneva is absolutely teeming with exciting pubs and bars to discover. There is something for every taste and every wallet, as we say here. I am by no means an expert on the Geneva night scene but I do have some favourites. So, I compiled a selection of my favourite establishments in Geneva, the ones I have visited lately. This is a varied list, a mixture of neighbourhood bar, trendy cocktail bar, popular pub and iconic microbrewery. In short, the places where I occasionally like to hang out, whether to chill out with friends or just to sit in a chair on the pavement (or inside by the window) and watch the world go by...

The Geneva cocktail scene has been absolutely booming in recent years. What better way to chill out with friends than at one of Geneva’s best mixologists? Le Verre à Monique and L'Apothicaire are, without contest, the places to be for all lovers of mixed drinks.

Le Verre à Monique

Rue des Savoises 19, 1205 Genève

I’m a big fan of this place with its retro decor furniture, fun glassware, cocktails and excellent music. It has a wonderful British feel and is very trendy and popular amongst expats and tourists. This bar is hidden away in a narrow, discreet street. Don’t worry if you can’t find the entrance first time around – keep looking, I promise you it’s there! Tends to be crowded on Saturdays...

Love their Hemingway Daiquiri

L’Apothicaire Cocktail-Club

Boulevard Georges-Favon 16, 1204 Genève

A nice and small place right in the heart of the bustling streets of central Geneva. Just an excellent selection of cocktails and tasty bite-sized tapas. The best cocktails in town made by a passionate and skilled barman.

One of the things that fascinates me is to see the bartender at work. At the L’Apothicaire I was served a real show – it’s a shame you cannot see the magician’s hands whirling around! By the way, thank you O. for letting me photograph you. You are a star!!

Sweetheart ordered a “Dark and Stormy” (very similar to a Tormenta Negra - see my previous posts). We were impressed by the fact that O. was able to conjure up this cocktail, that was not on the menu, without even having to consult a recipe book.  Needless to say, it was perfect.

Me myself and I… hahaha… had a woooonderfullll Basilicus Fraisus Martinus (vodka, basil, strawberry, cranberry)

Stay tuned for PART II my darlings!!

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939)

Have you heard of Indian Island?

The island, according to some rumours, was bought by a Hollywood star. Some newspapers had insinuated that the British Admiralty had used it to engage in top secret experiments. There was also talk of a wealthy Yankee...Anyway, when they received an anonymous invitation to a holiday on the island, all ten guests, from the judge through the playboy to the secretary, hastened to attend. But on the island, the mysterious host was absent. On the first night, a record was placed on the gramophone, accusing each of them of a crime. Panic seized the guests…

Author: Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon, South West England on September 15, 1890. She is one of the most famous detective writers of all time and is known as the “Queen of Crime”. She wrote her first novel in 1920. Her most famous characters are Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. In total, she wrote 77 detective novels and a number of plays and short stories.

Agatha Christie grew up surrounded by a succession of strong and independent women from an early age. She was married twice and had a daughter. She died in 1976.

My thoughts: “And Then There Were None” is my favourite of all of the Agatha Christie books I have read. Once again, the Queen of Crime signs a brilliant puzzle that leaves the reader breathless and disoriented until final outcome.

I’ve been a big fan of Agatha Christie since I was a teenager. I read her books one after another. In terms of crime novels, there is no denying that there is Agatha and then there are the others! I love the atmosphere, the captivating plot, the quintessential British touch and the inescapable tea time. I love the overall ambience of those afternoon teas; the warm and comfortable event where guests feel welcomed and inclined to confidences and chatter…

Pumpkin Pie for Halloween

My  goodness. It’s Halloween next Monday. How did we arrive at the end of October already? This month was so-so for me... So let’s keep moving forward. I want November to count. To end in style, how about a recipe for a crazy Halloween party?

I made this recipe for the first time 10 days ago for a dinner at home. We loved it a lot, so I thought I would suggest that you try this recipe. This pie is made of a delicious pumpkin cream filling, ranging in colour from orange to brown, baked on a crusty pastry base and rich in flavours.

“The pumpkin pie is a traditional dessert, often consumed in autumn and early winter, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas in the US and Canada. The pumpkin is a symbol of the harvest and is also used in Halloween festivities.” Quotation from the cookbook.

Ingredients:

1 shortcrust pastry

1 kg of peeled pumpkin (560g flesh, I chose butternut)

3 eggs

40 cl sweetened condensed milk

110 g brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon ground ginger (I used fresh ginger)

3 pinches of nutmeg

Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:

1. First, cook the pumpkin flesh in boiling water, rinse it and then mash until it becomes a purée. Leave it to cool.

2. Whisk the pumpkin purée, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Pour into the pastry crust.

3. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 165°C and continue baking for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted an inch into the pie comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Any leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Serves 6-8 people

Note: The tart mould I used has a 28 cm diameter and is 3 cm deep. Shortcrust pastry – you will need enough for one 28 cm pie mould.

For now, I wish you a very Happy Halloween & Pumpkin Day and a tip-top weekend.

P.S. For another option, see last year’s recipe, Pumpkin Fritters.