I don’t have loads to say today except thank you to the weather for the glorious sunshine and smiles we saw this weekend. From year to year, there is truly nothing new in this first wave of warmth. But each spring when the sun and air combine to evoke that feeling of relief and gratitude, a cloud lifts and people join together in the streets in mass welcome. We packaged up our last few cupcakes and spent Saturday afternoon at a neighbors.

We started with coffee and sweets about 3.30 and finished with Sekt, peanuts and chips about 6pm. I’m happy listening and learning as the German language swirls around me but I’m still shy to speak. It was a lovely afternoon. Can you spot me… the over looming shadow (yeah the one on the left… not the giant on the right)?

I’ve been waiting to try ricotta pancakes. And today, Sunday, was the day. We all liked them but they were different than a fluffy buttermilk pancake. A little more custardy. Reminded Chloe a little of french toast. I thought thick crepe. But they were tasty… and with strawberries, walnuts, maple syrup and bacon. These hotcakes enjoyed the photo shoot too…

The recipe is adapted from Nigella Lawson’s ricotta hotcakes…

Ricotta Hotcakes-Print Recipe Now!

INGREDIENTS

• 250g (8oz) ricotta cheese
• 125ml (1/2 cup) semi-skimmed milk
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 100g (just shy of a cup) plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla
• butter and canola oil for frying
• strawberries, walnuts, maple syrup

I like to put the batter into a pitcher to pour from or you can do baby cakes by the spoonful. I did 3 inch rounds…

I got 15 sweet little hotcakes out of this batch…

My patient family waited while I took pics…

We had some nitrate free bacon on the side…

One overview to tweet… “Oh my god mom, you are worse than me. I don’t even have a twitter account.” Chloe said.

After brunch we took the bikes down to the beach at the Elbe River… This river comes in 110km from the North Sea. It’s pure luxury living a three minute walk away. We see these flags and bumper stickers often. Atomic Energy, No Thanks.

We knew it was the beginning of the season when we saw the green garbage cans brought in Wednesday…

It was crowded but we didn’t mind…

Easter is around the corner…Colored plastic eggs out in full force…

Remember the frog barrier… it’s still up. We saw some casualties today (no photos of that)

About twenty minutes along the path takes us to this beach…

I love watching the dogs lovin life…

We park our bikes for a little siesta in the sun…

We have a nice nap and head back… ships heading into the port…

More eggs… Again I must thank O for his patience as I contemplate whether to stop AGAIN…can’t decide… then slam my breaks, park my bike and walk back because I just can’t get enough of these damn eggs.

And finally after all that bike riding (well 40mins)… and napping (60 min) … we had to stop for a couple fish brötchen- ein mal majtes (herring), ein mal lachs (salmon). I always ask for something mayo like… love hausfrau sauce which is creme fraiche, mayo, onions and apples. But settled today for remoulade 🙂

On the dock… and then home. Our time just changed this weekend and it’s been easy to lose track today.

You still there? That was a long post… but fun to recapture the weekend and share. Thanks…