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 

Coming home for Christmas....

...Well Sinterklaas really!

We have just come back from a trip to Holland for Sinterklaas. It was a busy few days...

Tiny florist shops, with beautiful wintry wreaths and lovely front gardens, with stylistic Christmas arrangements.

Family celebrations, and a Dutch warehouse occupied a 4 year old boy for most of the evening...The Wonderful ones Mum makes a different one each year to hold the presents....last year it was a train!

 This warehouse had a working gable, the presents could be lowered to the floor for the Zwarte Piets to load the boat full of presents.

Tim and his handmade Crown...feathers and all!

Boys will be boys

A soft, happy bear was much loved by little Chris...everyone got cuddles and smiles...I just didn't catch them on camera!!

Pip got her/his first Sinterklaas presents...a very spoilt baby indeed! Our bags were slightly overflowing on the return journey!

Talking of that lovely over active Pip....the bump is really showing now...24 weeks, it is going so quickly! The back flips and star jump are making our day...The wonderful ones face lights up whenever he feels them...it really is amazingly mind blowing what my body is capable of...I am one lucky girl!

The wonderful Dutchman's much missed giant beer...I know the way to my mans heart!

A happy afternoon spent watching the world go by in an amazing cafe...with amazing friends.

I blame the baby...a bag of heaven...

I however I miseds tucking into slightly seared tuna, herring, & rare steaks....and generally watching and asking whether I can eat this!!

The Wonderful one has promised me a fridge full of Pate, Soft Cheese, & Parma ham after our little Pip has arrived....now you know why I love him so!!

A beautiful few days off...now back into the madness that is Christmas in a flower shop.

Have you bought all your pressies?

Put up your tree? Is it Real?

I cannot get enough of that pine smell...divine! 

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