Snowmen in Varna, Bulgaria (Winter time)

This is my second winter in Varna, Bulgaria and the true is that winter in here is not that bad. I mean, it is cold specially if there is a lot of wind. However, with the view of the Black Sea I kinda forget that is cold.

This year, was my first white christmas and I was so happy. I do love the snow and it is so pretty, calm and relaxing when the snow is falling. After that, everyone is outside playing with snow and it is so peaceful. Even the dogs and street dogs love the snow. 

I feel like a 5 year old girl. :) 

So after christmas, we walked in the Sea Garden. It was so beautiful, covered  in white cotton snow. And one thing that I noticed, the park was full of different sizes, shapes and decoration snowmen. I loved it! 

Here are some photos of the snowmen as well as my first snowmen. 

Promise that next year, I will do a bigger and better snowman.

I hope you enjoy the creativity and imagination of these snowmen.

Until next adventure!

M

La Pasteleria Rosita en Sabana Grande, Caracas

A Panaderia or a bakery, are so popular in Venezuela. You will find them every corner. Well, not every corner, but you get the idea.

Every time, I'm back home I want to eat a nice cachito (Venezuela Ham Croissants). A cachito is a bread that has chopped ham inside and it is cook in the oven. It is perfect for breaksfast or snack. It goes also perfect with coffee con leche (capuccino).

To learn more how to do a cachito check this video-it is in Spanish but you can get the idea on how to form the shape of the cachito:




And here is a better link for the recipe.

This Pasteleria Rosita, for me has the best cachitos. The classic cachito is with ham, but now there are many varieties, so if you want to just experiment, have fun and get a couple of them.

Remember to get a coffee to go with it.

Mmmm I want a cachito now :)

Until next time!

M

Floriade Expo 2012 in Venlo, The Netherlands

I heard about this expo back in March 2012. My father was telling if, I got to Holland this year, it will be good idea to check this expo out.

I was a bit confuse because, I didn't know what it was. Then, I checked and actually, it is a pretty good expo. Finally by end of May, we visited the expo and I can tell you that it is a big event for everyone. 

It is call Floriade 2012, World Horticulture Expo in Venlo, The Netherlands (5 April till 7 October, 2012) - close to the German border. It has all type of activities during the day, night, etc. Food courts, attractions from different countries, music, technology and much more. It is a very diverse expo and we really enjoyed it.


The Floriade Park covers 66 hectares and encompasses 5 unique themed worlds separated by wooded areas. Each world has its own decor, programme and activities. Worlds in which you'll see, feel and experience nature in a totally different way each time.

But I think the part that impressed me the most was Where is the Willowman? It is this forest, where you need to find the Willowman. Who is this guy? 

He is actually an Dutch land artist call Will Beckers that has created an amazing work of art inside the forrest with all different shapes and style using branches. It is a mixture of how to use branches to create art, but also create housing living for people, animals and how to co-exist with nature. It was just amazing place. It has a magical feel the moment you enter to the forrest. You will find suprises in each of the installations, like chickens or rabbits :) 

It is great for kids to explore. 

We made a quick video for you to see. 

Want to know more about Floriade Expo or The Willowman check the links below:

Floriade Expo 2012

April 5 - October 7, 2012

World Horticulture Expo in Venlo, NL

www.floriade.com

View Larger Map

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The Willowman is Will Beckers
www.thewillowman.com


I hope you have time to check out this Expo. It is worth it and families and kids will enjoy a great day of  activities.

Until next time!

How to make homemade Gyozas

Gyozas are one of my favorite Japanese appetizers and I want it to learn how to do it. There are many recipes on Internet but this one that I found and I modify it to my taste. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chopped cabbage (boiled)
2 Tbsp chopped green onion
1/2 pound ground pork
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tsps soy sauce
1/2 garlic chopped very fine
1 tsp grated fresh ginger - I didn't have this, so I didn't put it but you.
20 gyoza wrappers
1 Tbsp vegetable oil

For dipping sauce
soy sauce, rice vinegar, rayu (chili oil)

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients other than oil in a bowl and mix it well by hands.
Have the wrappers ready and start placing a teaspoonful of filling in a gyoza wrapper and put water along the edge of the wrapper by fingers. Make a semicircle, gathering the front side of the wrapper and sealing the top. I tried that version but it was hard to do. So I instead closed it on the top. Like a like onion shape.

When you get all the gyozas ready, heat oil in a frying pan. I mixed vegetable and sesame oil together. Put gyoza in the pan and fry on high heat until the bottoms become brown. Turn down the heat to low. Add 1/4 cup water in the pan. Cover the pan and steam the gyoza on low heat until the water is gone. This will take around 15 to 20 minutes.

In the mean time, prepare the sauces. Mix a 1:2 ratio of soy sauce to rice vinegar and add some rayu chili oil if you would like. Or you can have also soy sauce.

Now, ready to ENJOY! Good appetite.

Until next time.