The Desperate Expat Wife isn’t superfond of Christmas markets. Simply because they can make her – well – slightly desperate. Sure, they’re cute enough – tacky cute at times but still cute – and this part of Europe wouldn’t be the same without them. Oh, and she loves the chocolate covered raspberries. Now she’s actually not particularly desperate at Christmas […]
Sharing enlightens your holiday
19/12/2014 by Leave a Comment
Living abroad means that you might spend Christmas far away from family and friends. Even if new countries and new traditions might be very different from what you are used to, it all comes down to sharing with others. The first Christmas we celebrated abroad was in Canada, with an overwhelming amount of colored lights, […]
Christmas biscuits
16/12/2014 by Leave a Comment
A great way to while away an afternoon listening to Christmas tunes! Here are a few fun ideas for making biscuits. This Christmas tree is just stacked stars: Or make a snowflake garland: Here is the recipe for vanilla sugar biscuits, makes 24 large biscuits: Ingredients 225g unsalted butter 225g light brown sugar ½ […]
Silent night, holy night – and joy to the world
12/12/2014 by Leave a Comment
When did we go from a peaceful calm celebration with family, friends and/or neighbors to this commercial nightmare? I am not going to tell you that Christmas is about baby Jesus. Of course for some it is, and I respect that. In fact, it is a beautiful way of celebrating. But Christmas can be many different […]
The meaning of mealtime
19/11/2014 by Leave a Comment
Dan Franch on why eating together is about so much more than food. If you have kids, life is busy. If both you and your spouse have jobs, life is busier. If you are a single parent with a job, life is well… busiest. Add to that lengthening commutes, further demands outside the home, plus […]
Beneath the Blue
24/10/2014 by Leave a Comment
Luxembourg based Dutch jazz vocalist Edith Van Den Heuvel is pregnant with a new jazz baby due on December 13th and conceived with London based pianist Frank Harrison. The name is Beneath the Blue and some of the character traits will surely be velvety, delicate, fragile and strong – a combination of two excellent jazz […]
Lëtz go Danish!
10/10/2014 by Leave a Comment
A bit of a Danish October on CLEW – let’s make a Danish classic – smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches). Firstly, you’ll need some good, thinly sliced rye bread. Make it yourself, or get a good one from your local baker. Toppings So many toppings, from simple classics to trendy gourmet. Here are some fairly simple suggestions […]
Marathon of memories
07/09/2014 by Leave a Comment
When you’re an expat, you need to come back to places of good memories: Walk the streets of the city love of your life, slightly puzzled that people keep smiling at you then realising you have this constant, possibly goofy, smile on your face yourself that you somehow can’t wipe off. The same streets you trotted […]
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