Each season brings us a bounty of wonderful foods and I particularly love eating asparagus! Living in Holland, the white asparagus is the thing to eat and I prepare it according to the traditional method used in the south of Holland. I decided to buy some green asparagus this weekend though and created a pasta with it. We enjoyed our meal outside on the patio and had some wine we brought back from The Alsace. We had a delicious Pinot Gris with this meal.
Here is the recipe:
Cut up 8 green asparagus stalks (4 per person). Cut off the tips and set aside. Cut up the remaining stalks and place in salted, boiling water for 4 minutes. Be sure to use a large enough pan as you will add the pasta to this water later. After the 4 minutes, add enough tagiatelle (noodles or pasta of choice) to the water for two people. Boil for a further 6 minutes. In the meantime, mix 2 egg yolks and about 1/3 cup of half and half. Add the asparagus tips to the boiling pasta and stalks and boil for about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus and pasta. Cook a sliced green onion in olive oil in the same pan and then add the drained pasta/asparagus, mixing well. Add a bit more olive oil and then stir in the egg and cream mixture being sure it coats the pasta. Add shreadded cheese (either Dutch mature cheese or parmasan) and again mix well. Place on the plates and top with a bit more shreadded cheese and freshly grated black pepper. Enjoy your meal!
For dessert, we had chocolate mousse clouds. Place chocolate mousse on a plate and top with whipping cream. Surround the sides of the mound with the whipping cream and then sprinkle with chocolate flakes.
Finish any good meal with a great cup of coffee or espresso and a small block of very dark chocolate. As we say here in Holland.....eet smakelijk!
Last Saturday, we drove to a salvage yard to have a look around for an old iron gate we could use to make into a headboard. We found some really amazing gates and fences but many were very large and so heavy my husband could not even budge them. We found this one back in a corner tucked away. When we asked how large it was, they measured it and it was almost perfect. I knew once we added two hardwood posts it would be the exact size. It was not actually for sale they then told us as it was a sample of how they use the vintage spindles to make a gate. He did however go ahead and say we could purchase it. We were really pleased as we knew it was perfect for this. 
This gives you a view of the entire bed. We are not finished as need two finials to finish off the posts and then I have to decide if I want to leave them as they are with the wood or paint them black. I will first have the job of hunting for the finials but what do you think? Once I have the patchwork quilt on the bed, I will also decide if I am leaving that wall in the oatmeal color of painting the single wall an accent color.
Here is a sneak peek at the quilt. With 12 meters length of bias binding, it is taking time to sit and sew it on by hand. I hope to have it on my bed by the middle of next week. My afghan came in the mail yesterday so I want it finished now more than ever! My mother crocheted it for me to go with the quilt. It makes me long for a chilly fall afternoon so I can sit on the bed with a good book to rest. By the way Mom, did I mention the colors work perfectly??? I keep repeating that to her as I think she worried they were too bright. You should see it laying on the quilt. It is really wonderful. For now, I am enjoying it draped over my rocking chair in the living room as I sew the binding. 
We were welcomed with a delicious cup of espresso and Pierrette sat with us to chat for a while. She goes from French to German to English in a moment's time and makes all feel at home.
