Social Life and Weekend Festivities
Friend's Maternity Photoshoot and Dinner
After a whirlwind of work and podcast recording, I finally had a chance to catch up with a dear friend I hadn’t seen since November. We met in Leiden, a city that still holds a special place in my heart. The evening started with a maternity photoshoot – a fun and slightly chaotic experience, but the results were lovely, capturing this special moment in my friend’s life.
The photoshoot flowed naturally into a delicious dinner. We enjoyed some delightful food and conversation, catching up on everything from our lives to the latest gossip. It was exactly the kind of relaxing, reconnecting evening I needed after a busy week. The simple pleasure of good company and good food was the perfect end to a truly memorable week.
Planning for a Busy Weekend
Friday morning arrived, and I was already feeling the weight of a busy weekend ahead. The Eurovision Song Contest finale was on Saturday, and I was hosting a viewing party. Then, Sunday held a surprise baby shower for a dear friend – a fun but demanding event requiring significant preparation.
My to-do list was extensive: cooking multiple dishes for the baby shower (including my first attempt at mac and cheese!), editing photos for decorations, figuring out photo printing, and tackling a massive cleaning spree. We’d finally received the tiles for our balcony, and I hoped to install them before guests arrived, a task involving managing bulky boxes and a somewhat chaotic installation process. Oh, and there was apartment-related shopping still to do, and Paris bookings to finalize!
Despite the daunting task list, I approached the weekend with a mixture of excitement and determination. I knew it wouldn't be relaxing, but it promised to be incredibly rewarding. Between the Eurovision fun, the celebratory baby shower, and the simple satisfaction of tackling those many tasks, the weekend stretched before me as a delightful challenge.
Home Improvements: Balcony Tiling
Friday's to-do list was epic, but one item loomed large: tackling the balcony tiling. For weeks, our balcony had been a depressing expanse of ugly concrete. This week, however, we finally received the tiles—bulky boxes that immediately cluttered our hallway.
The installation itself was a bit chaotic, a true test of teamwork and patience. Managing those unwieldy boxes and fitting the tiles wasn't exactly a relaxing activity. But with Rule's help, we successfully transformed the space. The finished result is amazing; a million times better than the drab concrete.
The improvement wasn't just external; the light reflecting off the new tiles brightened the apartment considerably. There's a small gap where the tiles didn't quite fit perfectly, but that's easily solved with some small white rocks from a local store, a final touch I'm looking forward to adding soon.
It's amazing how much of a difference a simple home improvement can make. Our newly tiled balcony, though still sparsely furnished, already feels like an extra room, ready for summer lounging. I can't wait to get some plants and furniture out there.
A Sweet Treat: Visiting a New Ice Cream Shop
One afternoon, while running errands near home, I stumbled upon a brand new ice cream shop. From the outside, it looked like a small, unassuming place. But as I stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised by its stylish interior – a far cry from the tiny gelato spot I'd envisioned.
I decided to treat myself. The pistachio and white chocolate gelato were heavenly; rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. It was a delightful, unexpected pause in a busy day, a moment of pure, simple pleasure.
Baby Shower Food Preparation
Friday's to-do list was epic, to say the least. Amongst the Eurovision preparations and apartment-related chaos, a significant portion involved cooking for a friend's surprise baby shower. My contribution? A couple of dishes, one of which was a personal culinary Everest: mac and cheese.
I’d never made mac and cheese before, relying on a friend's recipe. The process was…an adventure. Let's just say the consistency was unexpectedly thick, resulting in two gigantic containers overflowing with cheesy goodness. I jokingly worried about whether it was even *supposed* to be that thick, but in the end, it looked (and tasted!) pretty great.
Alongside the mac and cheese, I also prepared a classic chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. This was a much smoother operation. The baby shower itself was a lovely affair, a testament to the love and support surrounding my friend. And my culinary contributions? Well, they were devoured with gusto – a successful foray into unfamiliar recipe territory, if I may say so myself!
Eurovision Night Festivities
Friday's to-do list was epic, but Saturday's Eurovision finale loomed large. I was hosting a viewing party, and the anticipation buzzed in the air all day. The preparations were frantic—a flurry of snack gathering and last-minute cleaning—but the atmosphere was electric.
Mia and Taro joined me, contributing to the jovial chaos. We piled high plates with an impressive array of snacks, leftovers from my baby shower baking still surprisingly plentiful! The Eurovision itself was a spectacle, a vibrant, theatrical display of music and national pride. Even better, the company was fantastic; the relaxed conversation and shared excitement elevated the viewing experience.
Late into the night, Mia and I dissected our favorite performances, debating the merits of various entries with the passion only Eurovision fans truly understand. It was a perfectly imperfect night: a little hectic, a lot of fun, and ultimately, a memorable celebration of music and friendship.
A Successful Surprise Baby Shower
Sunday brought a whirlwind of activity, culminating in a truly lovely surprise baby shower for a dear friend. The planning had been intense – photo editing, frantic cleaning, and the monumental task of creating two gigantic containers of mac and cheese (my first attempt!), alongside a more traditional chicken and mashed potato dish. I worried, slightly jokingly, about the thickness of the mac and cheese, but honestly, it tasted great!
The shower itself was a charming affair, held under a carefully curated blue sailor theme. The brunch was delightful, the decorations were cute, and, most importantly, the mother-to-be clearly loved the surprise. It was a beautiful testament to the love and support surrounding her, and a wonderful way to end a truly busy, but ultimately rewarding week.