Another Epic Post...

Spring is here and I have been too busy to write!  So right up front I’m going to apologize – I’m not the best blogger.  I seem to go too long between posts and then end up with a huge post.  I even had to go back to my last post to see what I wrote about.  So I’m sorry that this one is another long one.

Since the last time I wrote I have been to the Concertgebouw for two lunch concerts and two evening concerts.  I have to say that I was never a real lover of classic music until now when I have heard a full orchestra play pieces.  The Concertgebouw is a world-renown concert hall and to have the opportunity to sit in the red velvet seats, admiring the architecture and listen to amazing music is unbelievable.  The lunch concerts are free half hour rehearsals of whatever orchestra is playing in the hall that week.  So this past month I have seen and heard the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.  Both fantastic.

Dave had to go back to the states on March 19^th for a week and Liam pretty much kept me busy.  We would get up in the morning, get dressed and go for a long walk in the beautiful Beatrixpark.  There is a huge field in the middle of the park where the dogs can run free – and run free is what they do.  It is so cute to watch all of them romp together.  And so many puppies right now – Liam has a Soft Coated Wheaton puppy and a Beagle puppy that he loves to play with.  We also have a neighbor above us who has a Teckle (Dutch name for a Wire-Haired Dachshund) that is his buddy!  Quite often, we are both heading down the stairs at the same time in the morning to go for our walks.  After the morning walk we come home for some breakfast and a long nap for Liam.  This is when I can head out and run errands or meet up with the “girls” for coffee or lunch.  Then after coming back from wherever I have gone for the day, it’s another walk.  Usually not quite as long but long enough.  The rest of the afternoon I usually catch up on laundry, clean, read and I have to admit sometimes be lazy.  Then after dinner we go out for a short walk to do our “business” before heading to bed.  During this week while Dave was gone, Maria invited Liam and me over for dinner.  Very yummy Risotto and Crème Brulee.

First Felt Scarf

My Teacher, Cristina

On the Sunday Dave was to come home from the states I had my first felting class.  It was a “landscape” class which you were “painting” with wool and then wet felting it into a picture.  After doing the wet felting you then do needle felting to put on the finishing touches.  Mine still needs a few more “finishing touches” so I will post a photo when I get it done.  It is, of course, a landscape of beach, water and sky.  I also signed up immediately for the class two weeks later to learn Nuno felting which is a thinner type of felting onto silk to make scarves, shawls, etc.  As my teacher said “I have caught the virus but it is a good one.”  She is Italian and just a doll.  Her dress always looks like she just came out of a fairytale with one of her shawls on and lots of lace, ruffles and flowers in her hair.  And her creations are just beautiful.  She is planning on having one more class before I leave that will show me how to do 3D felting – so then I will have learned 3 different types of felting and I will be able to “experiment” when I get home to the states.  I have found a fiber artist in San Diego and she has told me where I will be able to get supplies.  I know wool scarves are not something we need a lot of in Southern California but there is so much more you can do with felting and fiber art.  Yes, I am hooked.

The day after Dave got back from the states Rachel and Joaquin arrived for Joaquin’s Spring Break from school.  We had a week of eating, going to markets, a concert, playing at Vondelpark and Beatrixpark, going to the movies, going on a canal ride and losing a tooth!  So the Dutch Tooth Fairy had to come and she left him a Five Euro Bill!  Joaquin was so excited – and at the Sunday Market he bought himself a handmade metal bicycle model from Africa.  He was so excited.

Rachel and Joaquin left for home on Tuesday and then Dave headed to Frankfurt for the Musikmesse.  While Dave was gone, Liam and I had our daytime routine and one of the evenings I went out to dinner with some of the couples from the American Women’s Club – this time we went to a Brazilian restaurant where there is plenty of meat.  I wouldn’t say the food was great but I had a fun time with new friends.

On the Sunday that Dave was gone I had my all day Nuno felting class.  Since I was worried about leaving Liam the whole day, Barbara, one of the Taylor employees that came back from Frankfurt to stay at the downstairs apartment, was gracious to come up and take Liam for a walk while I was gone.  After I got back Barbara, Ted (another Taylor employee) and I went to a wonderful French restaurant that fed you too much food.  But – oh so yummy – their poached salmon melts in your mouth.

Dave got home on Monday and brought with him – Bob Taylor, Larry Breedlove and Andy Powers.  So another evening out to dinner – this time at Dave’s favorite Dutch restaurant, Haesje Claes.  I think I’ve talked about it before with the traditional Dutch food.  Very yummy again.  The following evening we went to the Concertgebouw to hear the Netherland Philharmonic Orchestra – amazing.  And Wednesday evening with Barbara, Ted, Larry and Andy, we rented a boat again and had so much fun cruising the canals having wine, bread, cheese, meats, smoked salmon and olives.  It was an enjoyable evening had by all.

Yesterday I went to the American Women’s Club monthly coffee and then came back home and worked on a project for my work in San Diego.  Last Saturday I had a Skype call with my boss and she gave me a project to work on while I was here and also, said she can’t wait for me to come back and work for them again.  I am very happy about this – it will be part time at first but that’s OK with me.

Today I am headed to an American Women’s Club lunch at an Indian restaurant I haven’t been to – so I will give you a report the next time.

Hugs to all and I will be seeing you soon.  Oh, for those of you that do not do Facebook – I have my ticket bought and will be home May 29^th.  Dave and Liam will follow me on June 6^th.  It will be a bittersweet ending to a fantastic adventure.  I will miss my new friends I have met over here but so happy to be back home with my children, grandchildren and friends.  However, I have told my friends here that I will be back to visit!

Canal Cruise

Joaquin having fun!

Lunch with American Women's Club

Out with our friends, Joe and Maria.  Was I really saying something that interesting?

Cheese Scale in Gouda