Introducing a new monthly newsletter!
After some years fumbling around Substack trying to find the right content/my groove with this platform, I will be writing a monthly newsletter, Secret Garden, for my paid subscribers on top of my normal garden travel themed Gossip Amongst Fronds. This is the first drop and is free for all subscribers to give you a taste of what is to come.
Some early subscribers may remember how I used to include a list of things that nourish me with every newsletter. This will be similar but more curated, and intended to hopefully entertain and inspire <3 message me if there are certain places/tips/things you want to hear about!
Here we go…
Not so much a secret but the cherry blossom park is in full bloom in Amsterdamse Bos. But if you want similar magic and no crowds you can also visit this park in Amstelveen (a municipality south of Amsterdam) for a small courtyard where kids play and younger cherry blossoms are currently flowering and smelling absolutely divine.
We were recently in France not for a holiday but for a loss in Nico’s family. We stayed along Le Loiret, la petite soeur de La Loire (did I write the genders correctly?), and spent our mornings enjoying the quiet melancholy of swans playing/napping and the late winter sun rising ever so slowly. Biking along or walking along La Loire is always enjoyable but the nondescript paths following Le Loiret feel secretive and positively storybook. We even saw a family of deer snacking on early spring greenery, but the only photo I took of them is too grainy to share, so here are some snoozing swans.
I’m no longer a daily coffee drinker (sorry if that’s pick me, perhaps that will change if we procreate), but I do need a four hour weekend cappuccino accompanied by a pastry or two. Lately I have been enhancing them with a scoop or two unnecessary extra butter: cognac and maple being my favourites. They also elevate any cappuccino.
I always thought tropicals were high maintenance, which most of them are. But bougainvilleas are easier than you’d think. I leave mine in a morning sunlight (moody dutch gray) window from first to last frost, watering occasionally. Sandy soil, infrequent fertilizing when I remember come springtime. And it always manages to bloom early spring, even if bugs (or it’s placement above a radiator - slim pickings in my tiny apartment) have eaten most of the leaves. My dad actually has his flowering all year long in Canada, filling the entire living room during the winter, but he’s a plant genius. Once I place them outside, the blooms take over and they peak all summer long with watering here and there. So next time you’re overthinking at the plant shop and wondering if you can handle it, you most definitely can.
Almost everyone loves the viral Salvo pistachio cookies, including myself. But there’s an up and coming brand in Amsterdam making Italian products allergen free and with high quality ingredients. A lot of Italian shops here use high quality ingredients but other than those shops, it’s hard to find places here doing so. Verlessio is a husband/wife company that has seasonal baked goods (think pandoro and colombo) as well as homemade pasta. Everything is organic, gluten and lactose free - avoiding the dreaded margarine or vegetable oil fillers. We devoured two pandoro over the winter holidays and enjoyed a few servings of their ravioli last week. Unfortunately Nico ate the colomba before I could try a bite, guess we will have to make another order lol. Here is the pandoro served with Île flottante:
We are in morel season! These beautiful mushrooms have taken over the markets this spring. Unfortunately wild mushroom picking is illegal in The Netherlands so we can’t venture out like in France and forage our own. So the best place to stock up on these treats is the mushroom stand at Zuidermrkt, who has everything (their lion’s mane is to die for) or the secret shop at the potato vendor on Wednesday’s Haarlemmerplein market. The notorious feud between the vegetable vendors and the potato seller prevents him from selling any mushrooms outright. But ask and he will pull out impressive spreads sourced from all over the world - sometimes even wild mushrooms shipped over from Canada. Not really locally sourced but it’s hard to do so with wild mushrooms in The Netherlands. His bounty far outweighs the mushrooms on offer by other vendors at this market, but be prepared to pay for the quality. Here’s some slightly squished ones after being biked across the city back home:
The Melktap Hogenhout, possibly the cutest way to pick up your milk. A little hut in the countryside just outside Amsterdam where you can pick up a glass bottle of thick raw whole milk. Talk about elevating your cappuccino. Nico says there are a few around town and it isn’t actually that special but I think it’s pretty cool and we always go to this one in Ouderkerk.
For years I have felt guilty about not being able to keep mimosas puffy for more than a couple days. Every florist insisted I wasn’t cutting them properly or the water wasn’t hot enough. Until I heard through the Instagram grapevine followed by some googling that the norm is 3-5 days. Those keeping mimosa bouquets in perfect shape for a week or two clearly take it upon themselves as a full time misting gig. But these yellow puffs, who provide the perfect respite for deep winter, are just as beautiful dry as they are puffy so I kept a few sprigs on display to last me until spring and I suggest doing the same if you find your mind leaning into some SAD energy.
The dried bouquet has dwindled since this below photo was taken due to Elvis (the cat) using it as a weapon against us when mealtime is a few minutes behind schedule.
Now that my friends are starting to have babies, I’m seeing the city from a different set of eyes. The ones who find spots of kid entertainment strategically placed in the middle of the city for educational and fun purposes. Such as Kinderboerderij, kid’s farms. You’ll find one in almost every neighbourhood in the city, tucked into a tiny square. With a few cute animals, native and/or edible plants, possibly a row of kid’s sized wooden clogs. All with little signs explaining usage/importance. These little farms teach children where their food comes from with the added bonus of being able to feed or pet some adorable farm animals. If you live in (or are visiting) The Netherlands, type Kinderboerderij into your Google maps and you’ll be able to find one nearest you. Some people love a venti and wandering around Target, I love a bubble tea and wandering around these cute farms.
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