Vegan Treat of the Month ***Date & Almond Truffles***

Every month I'll share a recipe of one of my favorite vegan treats.

And - whether it's sunny or not -

these ***Almonds and Dates Truffles*** are perfect for July.

Easy to make, they're kind of cute too.
Perfect for picnics. Great with mint tea.
But the thing I like best about them is the hint of orange flower water -
I love that smell so much...

I veganized this recipe from The Vegetarian Table: North Africa by Kitty Morse, which is still available via internet. 
I bought this wonderful book back in the nineties when I was still a student and - although my collection of cookbooks has expanded substantially since then - I still use it. 
She uses honey, which I replaced by maple syrup.

Before we begin: I recommend you use organic products. 

Especially the almonds, dates and coconut will be tastier...

For about 30 truffles, you'll need:

185 gram / 1,5 cups of toasted almonds (be careful not to let them burn while toasting them)
125 gram / 1 cup pitted and chopped dates
1 tablespoon orange flowers water
1 tablespoon maple syrup (alternatively rice syrup or agave syrup)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
65 gram / 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Place the toasted almonds and the dates in a blender or food processor.
Grind them to a thick paste.
If you're food processor is not big, grind the almonds and dates in two shifts. 

I actually use this old coffee grinder that has been in the family since the 1960's or so - it beats any modern food processor. 
Somehow I don't think today's food processors will still be in use in the 2060's...

Anyway! 
Transfer this paste to a bowl and blend in the orange flower water, maple syrup and cinnamon.
Shape into ball of about 1,5 cm (less than 1 inch).
The book says 1 inch, but I like these truffles a bit smaller.

Sprinkle the shredded coconut on a plate.
Roll the balls untill they are nicely coated with the coconut.
Place them in fluted paper cups.
(BTW I really like these mint green ones, I bought them at a local grocery store.)

Enjoy!

Container gardens #2

Okay, so I was clearly mistaken when I thought summer had finally begun.
It's only rain, rain & more rain.
While I'm preparing tomorrow's post about a sunny treat.

Ah well!
Here's another selection of cute container gardens

From around this little Dutch town.
Shot a few days ago - hence the sun.

Hope you enjoy them!

This is simply gorgeous. And again so many gardens in one street.
Seems to be contagious... In a good way.

Lovely pink hanging basket! Lobelias - I think?

I love hollyhocks! See the yachts? Behind the car. ;-)
There's the river.

Hydrangeas are always lovely.

Even a chair and table... 

Pink & Red

Some while ago I crocheted this Pink & Red throw
- to practice the shell stitch.

The stool was thrifted.
I painted it white,
and made it a crochet cover.
*Mental Memo To Self: Do Not Give Everything In Your House A Crochet Cover.*

Pink Saturday

Today Haarlem was drenched in a pink sauce.

There was pink laundry. (And not a little bit.)

Even trees and lampposts had gotten a pink knitted coat.

The statues had a pink vibe going on.




All was quite happy and cheerful.

Thrifted #3

Recently I thrifted these small plates.
They were quite a bargain...

The mark on the back indicates they were made
in the periode 1939 - 1952.
Nice!

Nevertheless, I think they are lacking something essential...
Vegan cupcakes!

Container Gardens #1

What we lack here in The Netherlands
is space.
It's a small - not to say tiny - country.
Mind you, it does have beautiful scenery.

Pink! Wow! Look at that door!

In Dutch towns, like in many towns around the globe, gardens are not always easy to find.

This is such a lovely street: absolutely packed with
container gardens.

In comes the container garden:
Some people are very creative in creating small patches of green.
In all kinds of containers. On the pavement.
For everyone who passes by to enjoy.

I wouldn't mind sipping a cup of tea here while reading the newspaper.
Wouldn't mind at all...

I simply adore these lush outbursts of plants and flowers
- here and there -
when walking or cycling through town.

You see the rope attached to the tree to keep it from falling? 

So, every now and then,
I will post photos of some of my favorite container gardens.

Happy Sheep / Yarn Galore

What is it exactly, this girlish silliness,

That makes my heart skip a beat

(or two)

When seeing stacks of yarn...?

The colours

The texture

The softness

The overall yumminess.

My evergrowing collection of yarn
is vegan. 

And - if it's bamboo or cotton - organic where possible.
But the yarn on these pictures is actually acrylic.
Which is less of a burden to our environment than wool.
(Contrary to what one might expect.)

I know a lot of people detest acrylic yarn...

But it does come in nice bright colours
- And it keeps the sheep happy.
:-)