Here come the Girls

When we went to Holland, we often spend the days visiting family & seeing friends. It is always a busy time, this year especially as we hadn't had a chance to go over at all this year until Sinterklaas.

I find myself strangely missing my trips to see The Wonderful One when he lived in Holland. I miss strolling around Amsterdam, visiting museums, sitting in Cafes watching the world cycle past, & taking a million photos of the stunning Dutch canal houses.

One of the highlights of the airport is the tiny Rijksmuseum, We went last year, newly married and saw these beauties. This time we had a extra little Pip to show around!

As I walked toward the museum I looked up and saw these wonderful ladies...I was like a child at Christmas...the excitement as I walked up the stairs made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I am a huge fan of portraits, and to be in a room filled with the most beautifully painted ladies...well, I was in heaven!

She was my favorite...a navel captains wife, his safe port. She was dripping in pearls, and had the most intricate dress on. I wanted to hold out my hand and touch the lace in between my fingers.

She has the most sparkling ring on her pinky finger...I could have stood in front of her all day... One day I will own my own beauty like her, I shall greet her every morning like an old friend.

Even the frames on these girls are a work of art...I could almost smell the roses in this one, hear her silk crinkling as she posed for her painting...

I can imagine her thinking...'will he paint a good likeness, will be make my nose smaller, my cheeks rosier?'

The details are breathtaking... I wish I had a fraction of their talent.

Pip also loved these girls...s/he was bouncing around merrily. 

Maybe Pip will paint me my own beauty, who I will greet every day

Only time will tell.

xxx 

Hearts for Holland

This time last year The Wonderful Dutchman and I were in Holland...it was beautiful.....spring is the best time to see Holland in all its glory.

However this weekend we hear of a horrible event in Amsterdam...a shooting...in a shopping mall....on a Saturday. Horrific...My Wonderful Dutchman feels far from his home when something like this happens...in a place where you have friends, a place you know well....his homeland.

Although this world is getting smaller, one act can make you feel so far away....rushed phone calls,  and Facebook messages confirmed everyone was safe...a sigh of relief.

But still the thoughts rattle in your head.....Why does a 24 year old man feel the need to harm others? What has happened in his short life?

It breaks my heart......just how are we bringing up our children?

Our heart goes out to all those affected...we are both sending all our love to friends and family in Holland

xxx

Dreaming of Holland

{an old man collecting fire wood in the snow}

The last time we where in Holland was for Sinterklaas which was a first for me, and we enjoyed ourselves  so much in the snow and festive fun. But there is always the moment when we have to come home.....

....In a way I look forward to this, not because I have had enough, or miss home....but because at Schiphol Airport there is a mini art gallery.....It normally has around 15 stunning pictures from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. A true delight for delayed or tired traveler....or just a happy little Magpie and Wonderful Dutchman who need to fill time waiting for their plane.

The painting of the lady was my favorite. she was holding a huge feather and wearing the most breathtaking ring.... I didn't take a note of the painter or the subject, I was too captured by her to pay the little box of writing any attention.

I also adore these paintings where you can see a slice of Dutch life....a maid peeling potatoes for dinner....birds in the courtyard swooping low....while a caged bird looks on.

Colour, perspective, and detail are all so wonderfully Dutch....and their Paintings always make my heart sing with joy and happiness.

I wish you all a wonderfully joyous weekend 

xxx

My First Sinterklaas....

Sinterklaas is the Dutch form of our Christmas. Celebrated around the 5th of December, It is based on St Nicholas. Children, including big children!!, put their shoes by the fireplace and gifts are magically placed in the shoes by morning....St Nicholas is as busy as our very own Santa! You can read about it HERE

But instead of reindeer's, he has Zwarte Piet. Funny and helpful chaps who are black by the chimney soot.....this was all my knowledge of December the 5th in Holland....2010 was the first Sinterklaas for me.....





...After the snow that brought England to a stand still, shamefaced, we walked on to our flight with no problems....everyone around us sleeping on floors, angry over cancelled flights, and tired after 3 days stuck at the airport.....we had luckily booked the only plane going to Schipol that day....How amazed were we!!



Holland covered in a thick blanket of snow, we woke to shoes surrounded by pressie and chocolate euros. The family gathering was held at The wonderful Dutchman's Aunt and Uncles home.....coffees passed around and excited children buzzing about with pure glee....awaiting the pressies.....



After a wonderful dishing out of presents....general chat and baby holding....I heard this almighty knocking on the windows and doors.....kids screamed.....parents giggled....and two Zwarte Piet came noisily into the house....Crazy hair, black faces and very bright outfits.....I was busy trying to take photos...but I thought in the mass of Dutch one sounded slightly familiar....hmmmmm....



Then the voice was recognised....The Dutchman's wonderful best lady Mel....His best friend....we has no idea this was planned...we couldn't stop smiling!

Zwarte Piet sits every child on his/her lap and asks them if they have been good....our Zwarte Piet told funny stories of what had happened during the year to every child...including many grown children....and yes the Wonderful Dutchman was one of them!! I was the last, and as Zwarte piet didnt speak English, her questions were translated.... (even though Mel is an English teacher!!! ) She asked me about the wedding and if i thought it weird that my wonderful Dutchman had a girl as his best man.... too cute!!










They carry sacks of sweets and gingerbread biscuits called pepernoten.....The dutch have a very sweet tooth....The wonderful Dutchman was in his element!!



It was so funny....Mel was fantastic and the best surprise we could of had....she never fell out of character though, and rushed off to the next family without so much as English word spoken...a true professional!!





All in all the day was fun, funny and brilliant to see.....Laughter surrounded us....and even though my Dutch is dreadful....a hilarious moment is universal......and some game instructions written in English always helps!!

Bread Anyone?? Dutch bread is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G...that Wonderful man misses it more than anything else!

I hope your Christmas and Sinterklaas was as fun filled as our first Married one was.

Thank you everyone who made it so fantastic....yes that includes you Jeanette! ;)

xxx

Amsterdam in photos...

Don't you want to live here? I know I do!!

Brides..I cant get away from them!! a glorious backdrop for a photo shoot

Isn't that door just fab!! I love the date with the heart..I cannot get over just how old these pristine buildings are.

If i had 8000 euro I would of bought her....her hair waves into birds in flight....a simply stunning lady.

The blossom was in full show....

This stunning field was Hyacinths in full bloom....the smell was so beautiful...

The blossom showing off again against a lovely stone carving

...a stream of Muscari....this year the scent of everything was divine!

This handsome chap guards Amsterdam at sunset....some find him scary' but I think he is wonderful!

The beauty of Amsterdam's canal houses

A delicious dinner with the most amazing salad bar......

Apple pie.....words cannot describe; nor a photo show, just how huge this pie was!!

The cheese shop didn't do just cheese!! these were hard to resist on our last morning!


It is forever changing, but stills stays beautiful, the bikes seem to double every time....but

I stay safe on my feet, wandering the tiny street, hand in hand with the Wonderful Dutchman..... slowly starting to understand the chatter of passers by..... feeling more and more at home....

Hello Holland - Part 1

Holland holds excitement for me...

...come and take a snowy walk with me through a Dutch town...

This is the newest part of the museum. The glass has old aerial photographs of the farms and surrounding areas...it is stunning.

The water giving an icy reflection.


A Vintage car looking like a cake with its sweet candy colours.

Lots of snow...these doors are too sweet and I love the fact they have covered the space in between the building with this cute woodwork.

Fruit trees forced into shape are a normal thing around here....

...here are some more, maybe an apple. The shapes of the houses are all different, and this one had heart shutters!

A little feel of Amsterdam with the stepped roof.

I missed photographing the mass of cyclists passing us by as I slipped on the icy street...hanging on to the Wonderful Dutchman with a bundle of Spring smelling Tulips in my arms... The faces of friends as they waved and stopped by with excited voices, and calls of 'What are you doing here?'. Big man hugs and smiles all around...

...the delights of a simple walk.

Amsterdam...it's been too long

This week The wonderful Dutchman and I are off to Holland!!!!

I am very excited. We are going to see the newest member of the Wonderful Dutch family...Baby Chris. He arrived 12 days ago...perfect timing ;)

I cannot wait...although I feel I might get baby envy in the process. The wonderful Dutchman has strict orders not to let me hold him for too long or I might not want to give him back!

The last time we were there was April and this is what it looked like....

Bliss... xxx

A breezy Birthday...

It is the Wonderful Dutch mans Birthday today!!

We wanted to go to the beach for a picnic, but the wind down here today is so strong, we decided to head for our favourite spot in one of Brighton's many squares.

I had made the famous Davies pie for the occasion...yum! Salad and potato salad, simple yet srcummy!

I made him a 'Be Happy' cake topper...well, cookie topper....but the wind made it more difficult to photograph!

The birthday Boy himself!

....with his beloved Hertog Jan....

This is a photo of his Birthday pressie from me. A stunning 1900's print of Amsterdam...this photo does not do it justice....the colours are so amazing... he loved it...phew!

The picnic was short lived, the cold wind won... we are now off to snuggle on the sofa with a good film!

Have a wonderful Weekend xxx