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Over the years, it has become a tradition that, in addition to the presents I buy, I also put a small tasting gift under the Christmas tree for my family members, and while I prepare and wrap it, I already feel happy knowing I can add a little extra treat to the gift‑giving.Caramelized nuts always make an appearance during Advent in one form or another, and this year, alongside the spiced orange jam, they make up the tasting package. Wishing everyone a joyful time preparing for Christmas 🎄

Well, I’ve always loved being a young mom in my twenties, and as a mother, the most beautiful period of my life so far was when Rú was little. I’m not saying I didn’t have my tired days (and time does tend to beautify memories), but basically, as a twenty-something mom, I didn’t find it hard to stay up at night, wake up early, rest irregularly, be in several places at once, and handle many things simultaneously. You learn how to bend space, time, and your own energy levels in a way that somehow even entertains you. As a mom in my thirties, though, it’s startling how differently my body…

This is the year when I won’t even see Ruben on Saint Nicholas Day… because he’s away at a competition with his new bow (which he actually won! 🙂 ), traveling on his own between countries, visiting family, and surprising friends. He’ll come home tomorrow, when the Santa spirit is already fading. But that’s the way things go—and if, during a connected upbringing, we cherish the time spent together with a little child, we must also embrace the moment when that nurturing of confidence and capability bears fruit, and the big kid wants to make his own decisions. Still, I keep and reread that Santa Claus from nine years ago…

Maintaining the birthday mood all day long wasn’t difficult, but the best part of a birthday is still the cake and the gifts! Rú and I could hardly wait for evening to arrive and for the (slowly roasted over many hours based on perfect tips from Laci’s mom) marinated beef roast to be ready, while we were already deep into baking the cake alongside it. I have a very reliable recipe that I heartily recommend even to beginner cake makers (I don’t consider myself a great baking wizard, just a joyful baker at most), because it’s truly simple, the batter behaves well—at least every bake so far has turned out…

We’ve been preparing with Rú for weeks to pamper this wonderful man all day long, feeding him delicious treats and showering him with gifts we secretly sourced, carefully selected together, and meticulously wrapped behind closed doors while whispering…! And the day turned out beautifully, just as we planned. It started with blueberry-vanilla pancakes, continued with a pork knuckle lunch, and we geared up for the evening celebration with more of Laci’s favorites and the grand finale: the birthday desserts…! Laci, we can’t thank you enough for who you are.For everything you do for us, and for how naturally you create everyday life for us that far exceeds our wildest imaginationFor…

Verona is a slow city. Not slow like when you have to wait, but slow like when there’s time for everything. The cobblestones make a dull sound under my steps, and sunlight sits deeply between the houses. A creamy espresso macchiato here isn’t anything special, just a natural part of the day — like the air or the noise. In some shops, handmade Italian hats or leather shoes line the shelves, yet my favorites are still, hopelessly, the bakeries, cafés, and bookstores. We peeked into the courtyard where Romeo and Juliet’s names meet on the wall, but for me, the best parts of Verona are somehow the balconies heavy with…

Anyone who’s been reading me for a while knows how easy it is to sweep me off my feet with anything watery…Well, welcome to Venice…!!! ♥

One of my eyes is crying, and the other is laughing as I write these few posts about Italy… The last time I was here was when I was very little, and this trip gave me so many impressions, experiences, and feelings that only the little one could have been the strong enough reason pulling us back from this northern Italian region. During the autumn break, Rú preferred to go home to visit family (which was expected after our move to Vienna), and Laci and I, left on our own, decided to wander a bit together to breathe some Italian air and indulge in some pasta, pizza, and bite-sized desserts.…

Dear Reader,who has been with me for almost ten years and maybe these diary pages brighten your day, make you think, make you laugh, or just chase away your boredom in a lonely moment.You, who know my struggles, my difficulties, have seen our beautiful days and the gloomy ones.You, who have tried my trusted recipes.You, who have empathized with me.You, for whom we are important. I would now like to introduce you to a new member of our life, whom we have waited for a long time, prayed for much, and who has now decided that the time has come to join us in this world.He in the picture is…