Best Life Advice

That 'song' came up on the radio while I was cruising through Washington state one night and since than I think it really is the best summary of all life advice that can ever be given!

'Do not read beauty magazines - they will only make you feel ugly!'
(Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen )

Elderberry Flowers

Every year starting with the end of May the Elderberries carry their flowers. It smells already very special and gives us the option to make a great jelly! Because not only the berries taste good - the flowers have a very strong flavour as well.

How to do it:

Take a basket or bag and collect about one pound of flowers. Collect them in a clean area not next to the street! If you like to wash them, only drop them carefully in a bowl with water - do not rinse them under running water!

What you need:

2 pounds of preserving sugar

2 big preserving jars

2 natural untreated lemons
clean glasses

Take two preserving jars and fill them with elderberry flowers and slices of lemon. Mix both ingredients nicely. Fill with water all the way. Let the jars sit in the windowsill for about 3 days. Sieve the content and collect the juice in a pot. Than weigh 2 pounds of juice and boil it with 2 pounds of sugar for about 4 minutes. You can stick a spoon in the jelly and check if it hardens out after a while.

Fill in clean glasses (rinse with 54% alcohol; rum) up to the edge and close immediately.

Sailing the Netherlands

Since 1993 the Netherlands and some little sailboats called 'Valken' have been an important part of my life. I've been 13 years old, puberty kicked in and boys became more attractive than they should or really were ... Once a year a big sailing camp took place in Sneek, a small city close to a water canal system that runs through the northern part of the Netherlands. And the next two weeks have always been the most important time of the year...
To celebrate youth, our sailing roots and dutch beer we have a traditional holiday trip each year. We go out to still rent the same little sailboats that have been the location for first kisses, overboard maneuvers and heartbreak.
The location is just perfect - we start in Sneek but we sail several hours each day and wherever you end up, it is allowed to tie your boat to the next pontoon, light up a fire and enjoy a barbecue. People are friendly and helpful and make it a perfect trip to the past...