isn't she lovely?

Getting her to Denmark was no easy feat! There's only one Pashley dealer in all of Denmark and they didn't reply to my inquiries, so I went straight to the source and focused my search in the UK. Most UK shops won't ship to Denmark and the few that would were out of stock with no known ETA, but I finally found my Princess at Fudges Cyclestore.

She shipped within a couple of days, but it took over 2 agonizing weeks for her to get here. I'll spare the details, but the shipping and delivery process wasn't what it should have been.

She arrived in pieces, with a generic instruction sheet that pretty much didn't apply to any part of the assembly process. But, thanks to the Dutch bike, I've been honing my bike mechanic skills and I managed to put her together.

Now onto my Pashley Princess Sovereign review...

I would like to ride her everywhere, but I'm not comfortable locking her up at the bus stop, so I use my Dutch bike for that, and the Pashley for errands.

One of the questions a lot of people have is about the weight of the bike. Yes, she's heavy. I'm 5'2", 30" inseam and I ride the 17.5" frame. I keep her in the basement and get her in and out through an outside door that has 4 steps up and down. It's a struggle, I wish she were lighter, but then she wouldn't be a Pashley!

A few words about frame size. The 17.5" fits up to an 31.5" inseam, the 20" frame starts at 30", which is my exact inseam. Inquiries to several dealers as well as to Pashley directly all confirmed that the 17.5" is the correct size for me. It felt too small at first, but I was used to a 50 cm Dutch bike with 28" tires. My seat post is showing about 2.75", mathematically, 2.5" would be just enough to make me fit the 20" frame. After much stressing, I'm happy I got the 17.5" frame because a smaller bike is easier to maneuver and a quarter of an inch isn't much to play with, so I have more room for adjustment with this frame. I still wish I could've taken both frames for a test ride to know for sure, but I really do think that the 17.5" frame is the safest and most suitable size.

She rides like I'd hoped the Dutch bike would, but I guess you don't get that in a $300 bike ;) The Princess has 5 speeds, which is plenty, more than enough in Denmark, actually. Once she gets going, she just rolls along, which I suppose is an upside to the weight. And she's solid, no issues with rattling or shaking when I ride over cobblestones or curbs, the drum brakes stop on a dime, and I could stare at the Brooks saddle all day!

She of course has an enclosed chain case, skirt guards, fenders, lights, and a rear cargo rack, which are pretty standard on European city bikes, so there's not much to say about those.

She came with a very large basket on a metal frame that holds a lot and is well supported. I'd like to find a nice wine crate for the back, but for now I have a basket that attaches to the rear rack with spring clamps, so I can haul plenty.

And the bell! It goes "ding-dong" and sounds more like a doorbell than a bike bell, but riding in traffic, I want something that gets attention. And it's pretty :)

Overall, she's everything I thought she would be, but there are some disappointments...

The chaincase is plastic, which I did not expect on a bike of this pedigree. Actually, I'm pretty sure that the chaincase on the Pashley is the same as the chaincase on the Dutch bike :(

All of the Pashley branding marks are stickers and they're not even under the clearcoat, just slapped on top like an afterthought. I don't think they will hold up :(

She has an O-lock, which is standard on European city bikes, but my Dutch bike actually has a better lock because I can keep the key on my keyring with the rest of my keys. On the Pashley, I can only remove the key from the lock when it's locked, so any sort of keychain would rub and scratch the paint, while I'm riding it, and I have to carry the key loose, which makes keeping track of it kind of a hassle.

There are some scratches on the paint and handlebars that I'm not thrilled about, but can live with, but there's a dent in the back fender that's definitely not cool and Fudges has not gotten back to me about it, so next, I will take it up directly with Pashley because a bike in this price range should not come dented!

And finally, most Dutch bikes have 28" tires, the Pashley has 26" tires, which is the British standard, but I think they're less efficient for commuting and would prefer the larger tires.

Before I moved to Denmark, I drove both a Toyota Yaris and an Audi TT. My Dutch bike is light, tinny, and gets me from point A to point B in an economical way, much like the Yaris. The Pashley is a solid stunner, and a pleasure to ride, much like the TT.

Expect to see more of her, I think I've found my muse :)

she's here!

It's my Pashley Princess Sovereign, and she's everything I thought she would be!

Eye candy and a full review coming soon :)

side street

A random side street in the city center...

thrifted coat rack

The entry to my flat is very narrow, so a hanging coat rack is out of the question, and buying this standing coatrack was an easy decision!

It's of course secondhand, and I got it for 95 DKK (about$16 US). At first I was planning to paint it white, but I kind of like the splash of color it gives to the corner, so it will stay orangy red :)

thai vegetable soup

I was raised on American 50's cuisine, so my palate has been somewhat limited. A year ago, I didn't like Indian food and based on one experience, I didn't like Thai food.

But Denmark is changing that. Now I'm the one trying to sell the group on Indian takeout instead of pizza, I have 3 types of curry paste in my fridge, I know which shop has the best price on coconut milk, and I can even identify lemongrass!

This is my base recipe for thai vegetable soup with coconut milk and curry. The veggies can be tweaked to what's in season or what you've got on hand.

olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, pressed
3-4 T minced fresh ginger
3-4 carrots, sliced
12 oz cauliflower florets
1 1/2 cups chopped green beans
1 red pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms

curry paste (to taste, I used red)
14 oz coconut milk
6 cups veggie stock
1 cup white wine
3 T veggie stir fry sauce
2 T soy sauce
2 T chopped lemongrass
sweet chili sauce (to taste)
3/4 t turmeric
1 cup brown rice, cooked

Heat a bit of olive in a soup pot, then cook the onion, garlic, ginger, and carrots until tender. Add everything but the rice and simmer for 25- 30 minutes. It's best to go easy on the curry paste and adjust to taste, the heat sneaks up fast. The soup will be very thin.

Puree about half of the veggies in a blender or food processor with a little bit of the broth and add the puree back to the pot. This will give you a nice combo of a rich, creamy texture and whole veggies. Stir in the rice and it's done!

batavus flying dutchman

I snapped this photo outside a secondhand shop...

It's a Batavus Flying Dutchman. It's old, it's rusted, and it's still being ridden. That's how so many of the Danish city bikes are. They get you from point A to point B, they stay outside in the rain, and they're ridden forever.

veggie enchiladas

I love Mexican food but there's only one Mexican restaurant in this city. I'll admit that one is better than none, but they charge well over $20 US for a veggie burrito. It's an ok burrito, but it's not mindblowingly delicious, and I doubt it will star in any of my future food fantasies.

In the absence of Taco Bell, or a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, I've been making my own Mexican food at home. All things considered, these veggie enchiladas aren't too bad from a fat and calories standpoint, and they're muy delicioso...

The chances of finding canned enchilada sauce in Denmark fall somewhere between slim and none, so I make my own:

2 T butter
2 T flour
5 t chili powder
1 1/2 t cumin
2 t garlic powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
2 1/4 cups veggie stock

Melt the butter in a sauce pan, then add the flour, and brown to make a roux. Add the spices/seasonings and tomato paste, stir until blended with the roux. Gradually add the veggie stock, stirring constantly and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.

The enchiladas...

1 onion, chopped
1 red or green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 1/2 cups black beans (drained & rinsed)
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/3 cup creme fraiche
1 t cumin
1/2 t oregano cayenne pepper (to taste)
corn tortillas
enchilada sauce
shredded cheddar cheese
olive oil

Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet, then add the onion and pepper and cook for a couple minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano and continue to cook until the onions and peppers are soft.

Stir in the black beans and salsa, cook until heated through. Mash the black beans a little, leaving some broken and some whole, then add the corn and cook until it's heated through. Stir in the creme fraiche.

Spray a large baking pan with cooking spray, then coat the bottom with enchilada sauce. Spoon the filling mixture down the middle of each tortilla, then roll closed, leaving the ends open and place them seam side down in the baking dish.

Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes, or until it starts bubbling. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and bake uncovered until the cheese melts.

thrifted sofa

I think I used up all of my good sofa karma when I found the vintage velvet sofa back in April. It's totally my dream sofa, but I also wanted something a bit bigger and more cozy. I've been diligently stalking the thrift shops since early May to no avail.

I contemplated buying something new, but I'm naturally drawn to older things, so I waited it out. In Connecticut, I had a house full of pretty new things that never felt comfortable.

For once I felt free to wait for the perfect thing and the perfect thing wasn't at all what I'd expected. I was drawn one afternoon to an antique bed. It's a twin, and I already had a bed, but instead of a sofa, why not have a sort of daybed in the living room? Yes!!! It's perfect :)

The bed with mattress was 350 DKK delivered (about $60 US). I spent another 600 DKK (about $100 US) or so on pillows and a quilt, and viola! A "sofa" I love for well under $200, I gave some money to charity, and this bed has another life. Its a win-win-win :)

It's a perfect spot for reading, knitting, watching movies, snuggling Opie, and pretty much everything! Visitors love it, I have a comfy sleeping place for houseguests, and all of a sudden the prospect of the long Nordic winter doesn't seem so bad when it's spent snuggled up with a purring kitty on a cozy daybed next to the fire :)

Things are shaping up around here...

quiche class

I make ok quiche, but it wasn't until I had real quiche made by my French friend that I realized how sadly American my quiches have been.

French quiche is simple, rustic, and amazingly delicious, and I was lucky enough to be given a quiche lesson last night...

Behold! Leek, tomato, and goat cheese quiche!
(Ready for the oven)

Most of the best food I've had is created based on chef's intuition, so there aren't any measurements, and this was no exception, but here I will attempt to relay what I've learned about quiche making...

You will need goat cheese! Cut 5 generous slices for the top of the quiche, then chop the rest.

Whisk together 4 eggs, about half to two-thirds of a container of creme fraiche, some salt, pepper, nutmeg, thyme, and honey. Stir in the chopped goat cheese.

This was a real moment of enlightenment because I'd never considered using creme fraiche in place of milk or cream, and adding honey would've never occurred to me in a million years.

Cut 3 large leeks into long slices, separate the layers, and sauté in a bit of olive oil, until they begin to soften; sprinkle with a bit of thyme near the end.

Mix about a quarter of the cooked leeks into the egg mixture, and scatter the rest around the bottom of a crust that's been pressed into a tart pan. We used a pre-made roll & press crust.

Cover the leeks with a thin layer of tomato slices.

Add the egg mixture to the crust and top with the 5 slices of goat cheese.

We baked it at about 400 degrees for around 30 minutes. But I'm baking in Celsius, so my actual temperature isn't exactly 400, it was actually 200, and 400 degrees is the nearest whole number to that, so proceed with caution.

Bon Appétit!

This is a base recipe, the important things to remember are the 4 eggs and creme fraiche. Everything else can be varied. I'm already thinking about brie, Camembert, and different assortments of herbs and veggies.

4 leaf clover

I found it last night in the park...

Will it bring me luck?

my dutch bike

I've long coveted the Pashley Princess Sovereign, so when I gave up both of my cars and moved to Denmark, you'd think it would've been an easy choice.

But, I'm a planner, an analyzer, and often, an overthinker. Over the past few months, I've talked myself in and out of so many bikes, that it borders on neurosis!

When it finally came time to pull the trigger, I rationalized that an expensive bike would be a liability. I reasoned that I should be practical and buy something I wouldn't stress about leaving at the train station or the bus stop, or about riding on rainy days.

So, I ordered a junker built in Holland from a bike shop in Germany. It has fenders, an enclosed chaincase, an integrated lock, skirt guards, dynamo lights, and I thought it was a bargain at 280 €, but I hate this bike with a passion!

The first time I rode it, my thighs were on fire, I was parched and on the verge of an asthma attack, I was sweating like crazy despite it being a cool morning, kids were passing me, and one even rung her bell at me. I am a runner, I was a success story in a fitness infomercial, I am not out of shape, so it was a great mystery to me why this thing was so hard to pedal in first gear, and why it was so slow that if it had taken me 30 seconds longer to lock it up, I'd have missed my bus.

Turns out, the front brake was rubbing, so I was pretty much riding with the brakes on. Not wanting to suffer the indignity of bringing this heap of junk to a bike shop to have the brakes adjusted, I tried to fix it myself.

I found several tutorials online and a did a pretty decent job of stopping the rubbing, even if I did absentmindedly toss the screwdriver, and in the process scratch the top of my MacBook Pro, which had somehow made it nearly a year and many transatlantic treks without so much as a blemish. But I digress...

The next morning, it was riding OK, but got progressively worse. The brake pads had slipped back into their old position. I tried in vain to fix them for good, but in the end, took it to a bike shop, where the nice mechanic adjusted them free of charge, lectured me on the pitfalls of cheap bikes as primary transportation, and showed me some better options. Point taken.

The next issue is the kickstand, which was supposed to be the traditional Dutch style back kickstand which makes it much less likely to tip. Only instead it has a weak side kickstand that visibly bends when I have anything of weight in the baskets.

According to the bike shop, I should be thrilled because the bike I ordered wasn't available and they substituted a much better bike. If that's the case, I'd really hate to see the bike I actually ordered, but they eventually agreed to send me a back kickstand.

When the back kickstand arrived, it was actually a whole new back cargo rack with a kickstand attached. I didn't realize until I'd taken the old rack off that there's a bar on my bike frame that blocks the rear kickstand from going up and down. So, I pretty much wasted an entire Saturday afternoon taking apart the back of my bike, only to reassemble it exactly as it was, while my friends were at the beach. As I was doing this, I dropped a nut into the chaincase and for some unexplainable reason, now the chain is slipping.

Finally, I need to mention the dynamo lights which don't have a clear on and off position, I just sort of bend the dynamo in and out of contact with the wheel and no matter what I do, it's mostly not in enough contact with the wheel to actually work. And the skirt guards slip if I go over a bump or any sort of textured terrain, which is highly convenient in Denmark where cobblestones abound :)

The kicker in all of this is that the bike I found in the trash and that Jeff restored for me is a much better bike, only I can't ride it everyday because it doesn't have an enclosed chaincase and I often ride in a dress.

So, after all of that, I've decided to spring for the Pashley, which is easier said than done, but more on that later. I don't have it yet, but she's shipped and should be here soon :)

Oh, and for the record the Dutch junker came from fahrrad-ass.de They sell on Ebay as fahrrad-ass and are nice enough to deal with, but their bikes are total crap!

On the bright side, some Japanese tourists asked if they could take photos of it in the park today, so at least it looks cool :)

danish bike culture

One of the things I love most about Denmark is the bike culture. There's an amazing variety of cool looking bikes and they're ridden by people in everyday clothes (dresses and suits!), which makes for an interesting landscape.

There are plenty of bike lanes and car drivers are accustomed to looking out for us. The majority of riders don't wear helmets, and it's not at all unusual to see a small child strapped onto the back of a bike enroute to kindergarten in the morning.

In addition to being wonderful eco and budget friendly transportation, bikes are a constant source of beauty throughout the city. I snapped this photo of a pink bike the other afternoon as I was out riding my bike.

My bike acquisition has been quite a saga, but it's almost sorted out and I'll post about it soon.

In the meantime, I'd like to plug one of my favorite blogs, Cycle Chic, which provides daily eye candy from the world capitol of stylish cyclists... Copenhagen!!!

happy 4th

Today, people from France, Norway, Germany, and the UK got together with a small group of Americans in Denmark to celebrate American Independence Day in the most traditional of ways!

There were burgers, hot dogs, BBQ sauce, Heinz ketchup, Budweiser, lemonade, Ben & Jerry's, and of course, S'mores...

This being Denmark, they were served smørrebrød-style (open faced). We used Marie biscuits instead of graham crackers and pålægschokolade, instead of Hershey's big bars.

As a vegetarian, I generally opt out of marshsmallow eating, but curiosity got the better of me so I had a little taste and found them to be softer with much more vanilla flavor than I recall of American marshmallows.

It's light here until around 11 PM and it's a school night for expats, so alas, there were no fireworks, but it was nice to observe this summer tradition among friends from the other side of the pond.

veggie wraps

Lately, there has not been enough talk about food on this blog! I have been cooking and eating, but too busy to write about it. I've mastered falafel yet again and have discovered a delicious new sauce for it. I've unlocked the key to super creamy, almost Sabra style hummus. I used my German ricotta stash to make manicotti, but had to use cannelloni wrappers, which I stuffed using my cookie press because I couldn't find my preferred egg roll wrappers. And I've started making homemade pita chips to go the the aforementioned hummus!

I will blog about the most interesting of those kitchen adventures soon, but in the meantime, here is a very simple, no cook veggie wrap recipe that was a lifesaver while I was waiting for my shipping container to arrive...

2 oz herbed or garden veggie cream cheese
3 T mayonnaise
3 T dijon mustard
shredded lettuce
thinly sliced veggies of your choice
tortillas

Whisk together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and dijon mustard. Spread a bit down the middle of a tortilla and arrange your thinly sliced veggies on top of it. Here, I just used lettuce, tomato, and red pepper, but cucumber, mushrooms, red onion, etc. are also delightful, as is hummus in place of the cream cheese mixture.

Dab the ends of the tortilla with some of the cream cheese mixture (to seal it) then roll the tortilla tightly and cut diagonally into halves or quarters.

I brought this to a garden party as an appetizer and it was a total hit!