Wonderful Wales

Last month we visited my parents in England and as an extra lille something we booked a couple of days in Wales for some golfing. 

My DH has been golfing off and on for the past 2 years and Wales is supposed to be really beautiful, so great scenery for me as well - WIN/WIN!! (I don't golf - yeah sorry I just don't feel old enough yet....hehe)

We booked 3 nights at The Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon (north wales) and OMG it was stunning. 

From the outside it looks a little dull and very buisness-like, but on the inside it's very "old english manor/castle like" - very impressive! (I was so impressed I forgot to take any pics... duh - not very blogger-friendly of me, I know... sorry!)

 

Hotel from the outside. 

We had the most wonderful weather all 4 days we were in Wales, and I even managed to get a sunburn (yeah I know... only person in the world to get sunburnt in Wales in April! - it's a skill.)

DH and the grassy green hills of Wales. 

Dear momsy and pops in the hotel restaurant.

The restaurant served the most scrumptious ala cart Menu with dishes changing everyday according to what fresh game/fish was available. YUM!! And in the mornings we were served english breakfast - eggs, bacon, sausages and everything my lille (bacon-filled) heart could want! 

After dinner we took a stroll down to the town/harbour. I wish we had more time, I would have loved to explore the town centre and all their curious little shops - I'll have to do that next time we go!

Caernarfon harbour

Day 1

On our first day we played on the Royal St. Davids golfcourse

Golfers getting ready!

The hills are alive with the sound of "Fooooore!!!"

At hole 10 we found the cutest golf-ca(dd)y ... ;)

Just behind the clubhouse was Harlech Castle
Such an incredible view!!

The Champ!

After momsy's victory coke, we took a drive in the mountains to the lovely Mt. Snowdon, or well close enough.... 

Mt. Snowdon and friends.

Now we know why it's called "Snowdon"

The happiest hubby in the world!

Momsy too tired to get out of the car to take pics.... not lazy.... tired :p 

Day 2

Day 2 we played the Nefyn golfcourse and as an extra bargain we got to play 22 holes instead of 18!

This was personally my favorite course of all the ones we played. The views were absolutely breathtaking and the golfing seemed so much fun - although we did spend awfully many min. looking for Brians ball hehe but that's part of the charm I guess...

Tiger who?!

Happy golfers

For some reason my momsy really wanted to play in the sand,
maybe it was the hot, hot weather...

Some pretty tough terrain!  Pops decided to drop another ball, rather then break his neck .... Come on - Bubba would have played it!

Pops won this round!
And again it was celebrated with a victory coke!!

The extra 4 holes means we didn't really do anything after we played the course. We had a nice afternoon lunch in the clubhouse and I took a cold shower on a count of my sunburn - OUCH!

Day 3

On day 3 we played the Abersoch golf course. Again a beautiful course, however I thought that the courses were really tight put together, so we didn't really have a lot of space to play on. The fairways were really narrow. (Not good for Brian, and on this day he lost his highest number of golfballs... 4! - YIKES! - but don't worry we found 3 other - not brians tho...)

Full of hope as we set out (he was 4 balls richer then!)

Abersoch golf club house - very cute!
yucky coffee tho.... I don't recommend it!

Yes we were lazy - so rented golfcarts in stead....
was crazy fun tho, riding around in them
I want one now! It's on my christmas-list!!! (you listening Santa?!)

Very proud pops who managed a "par" on hole 8

Despite all their effort Momsy took the prize!
She is the one to beat!!

We had an amazing vacation in Wales, and it ended all too soon. Next time (if) we go, I think I would like to dedicate an afternoon to something other then golf, like taking a closer look at those castles - full of all that history. 

Again the Celtic Royal Hotel has my warmest recommondations - the service was impeccable and the staff very professional. The accomidations were really cute - we had a doublebed and single in our room, along with flatscreen, bathtub and tea-kettle (and complimentary english short-cakes!) - which was a really nice touch!

Yup - me waving bye-bye :)

Where are you going on your spring-fling?! :) 

Pennie

Summertime... and the living is easy...

I know it's a bit early.... but the weather here in Denmark is just so darn hot!!! We counted up to 23 degrees here today in the garden - YIKES! Almost like summer weather :) 

And of course - time to BBQ!!

Grilled pork sirloin with bacon, mushrooms and cranberries
YUM-YUM

Grilled pork sirloin with bacon mushrooms and cranberries

This is almost too easy to be called a recipe - but here you go anyway:

Dice the bacon, dice the mushrooms and put on the grill for about 5-7 min. 

Add dried cranberries (and also delicious with fresh parsley) 

- cook all til nice and tender. 

Add to the sirloin and serve up with a lovely salade. 

(Hubby also had som french fries with his - can't seem to live without his potatoes)

My DH (dear hubby), squinting cause of the hot HOT sun!

My DH also makes this as a "pork wellington" sometimes - where he covers the sirloin with the mushroom/bacon/cranberry mixture and wraps it in puff-pastry - IT'S AMAZING!

YUMMY! oh and don't forget the gravy!!

Hope the weather lasts til next weekend, cause I have a suprise planned for my little niece!

Cutest kid in the world!!!

What's for dinner at your house??? 

Pennie :)

Ginger Lemonade

So it's Flu-season here in Denmark and because I work at an E.R. (sadly no George Clooney...),
I am around sick people 8 hours every day.....
and in order not to get sick myself I try and take my vitamins and generally stay healthy......

AND I also drink a shot of my moms delicious secret health elixir (sounds exotic.... no??!) to help boost my immunesystem.

It's quite delicious and also good mixed with Gin or vodka ;)

2 lemons, 1 lime, Ginger and Bottle

Pennies Flu-be-gone Health Elixir

3 Lemons (Or 2 lemons and 1 lime if that's what you have...
sorry mom!)

1 big hunk of gingerroot. 

2 liters of water

Peel the ginger and slice. Peel lemons (and lime). 

Pop everything (ginger, lemon/lime peel and lemon/lime juice  in pot with water and let boil for 20 min. 

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!

I drink it with 1:4 parts water or as a shot! 

Add honey/sugar substitute if you want it sweet. (I like it fine without!)

Sift into a bottle and refrigerate. 

Enjoy and say Goodbye to the flu!! 

Pennie :)

Imbolg

Imbolg literally means "in the belly/uterus" - with a reference to the impregnated nature around us presently.

Now we see the first signs of life returning to the land, the first buds on the trees, the first flowers peeking through the frozen earth. Some places the first lambs have been born, so we know that spring is underway.

Imbolg is a celebration of fertility - the fertility that comes with the warming sun.
Nature is shown in this celebration as the bride, who waits on her groom to unite with him and give birth to life in the spring.
In Ireland this celebration is also known as the feast of the Fire Goddess Bride (Pronounced Bre-ed), known as Brigantia to the celtic and Saint Bridget when she was christianized.

It was said Bride walked the earth the eve before Imbolg, and so people placed garments in front of their houses, which she would bless on her way; in the morning the garments would be gathered, people reassured of Bride's protection and healing throughout the coming year.

Bride both christianized and pagen, with a Brighids cross;
a straw-woven cross said to protect households from lightning and fire.

At this time the Goddess changes from Crone to Maiden, full of hope and promise of life to come, and we celebrate her return with candles.

Imbolg traditions revolve around purification and light. Candles are lit in each room of the house to honor the returning sun. This is the time to cleanse and bless your home, to seek inspiration and rid yourself of limiting thoughts or negative attitudes

 - to start anew!

The Catholic church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. 

Modern versions of Imbolg are to be found in many cultures; Ground Hog's Day, Aztec New Year, Chinese New Year, Roman Lupercalia, Valentine's Day and Candelmas. 

We usually eat alot of Dairy foods during Imbolg and we have a tradition in my family during February to make cabbage in white sauce (milk sauce) and danish meatballs - a very filling dish!  

As for crafts during this time,  we embellish candles and make straw figures (and Brighid crosses!). 

Josephine - isn't she just adorable??! Her B-day is the 4th of Feb.,
so of course we light the candle and send her a blessing :)

Brighids cross

Candle Candle, Burning bright, 
Winter's halfway done tonight!
With a-glowing, we are knowing, 
Spring will come again!


What are your Imbolg/Spring traditions??

Pennie :)

Pulled Pork - chili style!

My DH love, love, loooooooves chili. If it was up to him, we would eat chili everyday, on every meal, with every bite!
He has as many chili-type oils as I have body creams or shoes (yeah - THAT many!!).

So to make something special for him on his B-day, I made him a very speciel Pulled Pork - chili style.

....and because I love my blog as well - here you all go:

Pennies Pulled Pork - chili style:

Depending om how many you intend on feeding (or want for more days).
This rub is for 2 pork loins. 

The dry rub:

50 g brown sugar (or substitute)

50 g strong paprika (or mild if you prefer it not so strong)

2 tbl. sp. freshly grated black pepper

2 tbl. sp. good flaky salt 

2 tbl. sp. cayenne pepper

2 tsp. mustard powder

1 tbl. sp. onion powder

½ tbl. sp. garlic powder (or garlic salt, but then reduce flaky salt)

½ tbl. sp. ground cilantro (coriander). 

½ tbl. sp. chilimix (your favorite chilimix)

The day before servering you marinade the two pork loins in this dry rub and let sit in the fridge, preferably in a bag overnight (+6 hours). Be sure and really rub it in there!

In the summer time we would cook this on the BBQ - but since it's covered in snow at the moment, I made it in the oven
(and you can too no problem). 

Early in the morning (Aprox. 12 houres before you plan to serve it), set the oven to 110 degrees and cook the Pork loins for 12 hours. After 12 hours and the house is full of a wonderful meat-aroma, take the roasts out of the oven and let them rest for 30 min. before pulling the juicy, tender meat apart in thick slices. 

Add a chili hot sauce of your own creation to the mix (or use mine):

Spicy sauce:

2 dl apple vinegar

3 tbl. sp. favourite brand of ketchup

2 tbl. sp. brown sugar (or substitute)

2 tsp. salt

2 tbl. sp. tabasco

1-2 tsp. chili-flakes (or by taste)

1-2 tsp. freshly grated black pepper

Cover the freshly pulled pork in sauce and make your Pulled Pork burger! YUM!!

Add additional hot-sauce when your wives apparently isn't HOT enough...

ENJOY! 

Pennie :)

Clean eating...

And no, I don't mean cleaning your plate or doing the dishes hehe...

This past year DH and I have really tried to clean up our eating habits. We both wanted to lose a bit of weight and feel healthier and generally try and take better care of what we were putting in our bodies. So we cut out sugars and most processed foods from our diet. The results were staggering... 

So here are some benefits from a year of clean eating:

• We have both lost our sugarcravings. No more scrambling around the fridge in the afternoon for a yoghurt or piece of pie - or not being able to drink a cup of coffee in the evening without a piece of cake or chocolate to go along (yes were were guilty of all of that before!)

• We discovered how many foods actually contained sugar or hidden sugars! It's incredible - juice, yoghurt, and every single light product known to man.... just DON'T eat them!

• We found out that the best way to eat "clean", is to eat fresh, natural products - (i.e. foods with sensible expiration dates, not years and years.) When something in your cupboard can outlive your family pet, you shouldn't eat it!

Picture taken from What is the deal?

• We became really creative in the kitchen, because we couldn't use the usual condiments and sidedishes - suddenly both of us took time out to make really delicious meals from scratch and a time during the day, that earlier was a chore, actually became a fun, (sometimes romantic) event. 

• We noticed what sugar and processed foods did to our bodies, because we didn't eat it at home, but when offered at work/friends/families we didn't want to say no. We both became bloated and lost our energy. DH had a terrible case of migraine after a night out with the guys (beer and pizza) and I had a not so fun day on the toilet after a movie-popcorn night with some girlfriends. Our bodies were def. telling us to stay away from that sugary-processed stuff! (too much info.? - sorry)

• We started to notice quality instead of quantity. For many years (while i was in school and DH working) we were buying quantity (much for less) and looking to score great, cheap deals from stores instead of quality and eating this way changed that. We are spending more money on local and organic foods and actually with all the money we're saving from not buying junk and sweets, we're actually not spending more. 

Oh and of course the biggest plus - MORE energy! I don't need to take a nap on the couch when I get home from work, before I go for a walk with the dogs. I am well rested and fully of energy for an entire day with just 7 hours of sleep each night - and I sleep like a log (seriously before anything would wake me during the night!). 

Well that was last year - THIS year we have another hurdle to battle - Soda! 

Hi - my name is Pennie and I am a Pepsi-Max-a-holic! 

Actually it's been 18 days since my last Pepsi Max!!! Incredible right?! 

So far so good, but I must admit when I'm out at friends or out for dinner, it's a bit tough - but I'm hanging in there. 

DH has bought memy own wonderful soda-machine tho - så I can make sparkling water with a bit of (sugarfree) taste, which takes the edge off (but sadly it's too big to fit in my bag when we go out... )

Mine is like this - but in black.

But even after just 18 days, I can already feel a big difference in my body (although the first 4 were a hell to get through - I swear I now know what withdrawals feel like!). 

An even less bloated stomach, no aching feet (didn't see that one coming!), less need for sleep (only need 6 hours now - PLING and I'm awake at the first ring of my alarm clock - no more snoozing...) and no GAS! Yeah you heard me - sometimes I was a regular whoopey cushion in the evenings - NO MORE! 

(and I haven't had any complains heheh....)

If you have the nerve, GO FOR IT. Clean eating has def. changed our health, our bodies and our lives and we recommend it to anyone who wants a change. 

Pennie :)

Pineapple pork tenderloin

- Courtesy of DH (dear hubby)

My DH got this for Yule, as we LOVE thai food, but usually end up making the same red panag curry as always. So new inspiration is always nice.

"The best recipes from Thailand"

There are alot of recipes I want to try, but as it's my DH's book, I'm going to let him give it a go (I tend to take over in the kitchen 'cause I feel it's my domain)

The other evening, after a long a grueling shift in the E.R., I came home to the most delious smell from my kitchen and a beautiful table set for two.

(He is SUCH a romantic!!!) 

My DH tends to make his thai dishes really HOT when it comes to spices, so I was a bit intimidated at first, but it was simply scrumptious!! (and of course he had made enough for me to take along for my evening shift next day.... again - he is simply the best!)

Now I don't want you to feel left out, så voila:

Pineapple Pork Tenderloin

Serves 4. 

4 thick slices of pineapple

600 g pork tenderloin

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. freshly grated pepper

1 tbl.sp. flour

2 tbl. sp. sweet soy sauce

2 tbl. sp. palm sugar or brown sugar

2 tbl. sp. ricevinegar og a mild whitewine vinegar

1 dl. pineapple juice

3 tbl. sp. peanut oil

2 laurel leaves

Serve with a salade

How to:

Peel the pineapple and remove the hard stem in the middle. Rinse the tenderloin and pat it dry, remove tendons and carve it in aprox. 1 cm thick slices. 

Beat the slices flat with a meat-hammer and mix with the salt, pepper, flour, soy sauce, palm sugar, ricevinegar and pineapple juice. 

Cover the meat and let it marinate for about 1 hour in the fridge. 

Heat up the peanut oil on a frying pan/wok and brown the meat. Add the marinade and laurel leaves. 

Let it all simmer for about 3 min. Turn the meat and add the pineapple slices. Let it simmer another 3 min. til nice and juicy. 

Serve with salade and/or rice and ENJOY!!

Yum-YUM-YUUUUUM!!

The sweetest man in the world!