Lunch for one

The clocks went back an hour. The days are short now and I can feel the winter approaching. The temperature keeps dropping and the rain is persistent and hard as if it has suddenly awakened from its unusually long summer dormant state.

The trees are thirsty for it, all yellow and rusty golden. They fill the streets, not in a good way, not in the romantic way, but in the annoying way. They keep getting stuck to the bottom of my shoes and I end up bringing them into the apartment, leaving a trail behind me, like that of breadcrumbs, for me to find my way back.

There are days when I can’t get away from the kitchen, it seems like my place of solace, where I can find some peace of mind in cooking or baking, and then there are those days that I can’t stand being in that room for more than a second, when I know that I need a break from the act of cooking, a rest. I’m like that with all my great loves.

Lunch for one is served.
Homemade Greek barley bread, toasted for added texture, soft-ish boiled egg and a ripe avocado, almost creamy, never mashed. I have my preferences. Maldon sea salt, because it’s so good, and a glass of water.

One last thought. I am so glad I got to see this man play live. Rest in peace, Lou.
I’ll leave you with this.

Greek Barley Bread with Avocado and Boiled Egg

2 slices of Greek barley bread
1 ripe avocado
1 large egg
Sea salt flakes, such as Maldon


Toast the bread.
Cut avocado in half and scoop out the halves. Cut into slices.
Boil the egg to your liking. Peel and cut in half.
Season egg and avocado with salt.
Lunch for one, ready.

North Euvoia, Greece in pictures

It feels like I have been back in Holland for months yet it’s only been ten days. It’s weird how perception of time changes as soon as you get back from vacation.

The weather has been awful, it’s cold and it’s been raining non stop since last night, and the only sunshine I get is emanating from the photos of my vacation in Euvoia, Greece.

I’m in love with this place. My uncle bought and restored an old stone house at a dreamy little mountain village with the most amazing view of the surrounding mountains and the Aegean Sea, and whenever I go there it feels like pure heaven.

Euvoia is the second largest island in Greece after Crete and by many Greeks, especially Athenians, it is strangely not even considered an island because of it’s proximity to Athens. The north of the island though is a completely different area filled with trees as far as the eye can see. Pine trees, firs, and lots of fruit-bearing trees. The apple trees were laden with tiny apples, a variety called "firikia" in Greek. I couldn’t walk the cobbled streets of the village without stepping onto them. I was looking for figs but the trees were bare. Instead, I found grapes dangling from the vines, in all colors, and the smell of freshly-made moustos (grape-must) from the producers of the village filling the air. I found pomegranates beautifully crimson and plump, mushrooms hiding in the forest, walnuts, chestnuts.
I didn’t go foraging because it’s a dangerous adventure if you don’t know which mushrooms to pick, but I enjoyed the view from the mountain.

And then, only ten minutes by car from the mountain, you end up straight to the sea. The glorious Aegean Sea, with that blue color that makes me swoon whenever I see it. The sea was warm and the time we spent at the beach was treasured. We had such a peaceful and wonderful time.

Below you can see photos from our trip in Euvoia. From the village we stayed and from the nearby village of Limni (Greek word for lake) where the sea is so serene and beautiful it almost feels like a lake. I hope you enjoy them.