I’ve been quite busy…

Since we thought we would be here a year but now it’s going to be less and I am on the countdown to go home, I am trying to experience all that I can before I leave.  So I decided I would throw out emails to the women I have met and if any can join me, great, if not, then I’m heading out on my own.  Also, it is a very busy time for Dave with things he needs to accomplish and there are many employees from Taylor US coming over to help with setting up all the departments.  So we have been doing a little entertaining or dinners with them.

Last week was a quiet week because quite a few of the schools were out on holiday and quite a few of the women I know went on trips during this time.  So I did some venturing on my own since I had quite a few days to myself.  I went to two House Museums, to the Van Gogh Museum and on Thursday Maria and I took the train to Utrecht to walk around and have lunch.  Then on Saturday Dave, Rob Magargal (Taylor employee) and I took a driving trip to Breda, another beautiful Holland town.

So the House Museums – they are both on what is called Keizergracht which is a canal street.  So on one side of the canal traffic goes one way and the other side traffic goes the opposite direction.  If the name ends with gracht, it is a canal street.  Then there is straat (street), laan (lane), plein (plaza), weg (way) and several more.  So these two homes I toured are very Dutch and the décor was probably 1600s-1700s.  I would say the most interesting parts to me were their gardens and the kitchen in the one home.  The one garden has the largest fountain pond in the Amsterdam centrum.  Also, one of the homes had a collection displayed of a pastel artist from the 1800s.  Since Dave loves pastels I took him back to this home on Sunday.  He was quite impressed.

Thursday was when Maria and I went to Utrecht.  It was about a 30 minute train ride to another beautiful Dutch town.  We had fun just walking up and down the streets and then had lunch along one of the canals.  It’s always fun to see all the different towns.  Most are laid out the same – with a centrum that includes a beautiful cathedral and plaza – off from the plaza are usually little cobble streets and canals.  Lots of cafes and lots of shopping – most of the shops are modern clothing and shoe shops – and then you have some unique gift shops, cheese shops, bread shops and the typical souvenir shops with the same old stuff you see in every Dutch town.  Now, when it comes to shopping here – the Dutch women are just like the US women – they want the latest styles in clothing and shoes – and it seems that most women tourists are looking for those shops too.  Shopping here is not included in the “quaintness” of Europe.  If you want to find an antique relic you have to find those shops.  They’re in each town but not usually in the town centrum.  I didn’t elaborate on my lunch that day because it was good but not WOW but the surroundings were charming.

Friday I decided to go to the Van Gogh Museum again by myself.  I did this because Dave is not really a fan of Van Gogh and when we went to the museum the previous time, we were enthralled with the temporary exhibit which took up all of our time and we never made it to the Van Gogh section.  Well, I do enjoy Van Gogh and so I thought the best way for me to see the collection was by myself.  And I really enjoyed it.  I remember doing a report on Van Gogh when I was in elementary school and have been interested in him ever since.  There was also an exhibit on the old French artwork that was used for posters, music books, theater programs and the like – that was very interesting also.  I also ran out of time so did not get to view the current temporary exhibition of Picasso in Paris…I’m not a Picasso fan but I am intrigued just a little and am going to try and get back to go through that section.  I want to do another day at the Rijks Museum also so I have plenty to do before I leave.

On Saturday, Dave, Rob, Liam and I jumped in the car and Dave drove us to Breda.  Another beautiful Dutch town that Dave used to stay in when he had to come over here for business in the past years.  He wanted me to see it before I left.  It was really a nice town…although Dave was a little disappointed that the very quaint hotel that he used to stay at was bought and is now an updated, modern hotel.  He said when he would stay there the hotel staff would set up a little table and chair at the window for him because they knew he was an artist and liked the light from the window to draw.  So it is a memory that he can hold onto but is no longer physically there.  We walked around the town and viewed the sites and then sat in the one of the pleins and had a beer and a yummy lunch.  First cafe I’ve seen over here that serves “curly fries” which was a disappointment because the Dutch and the Flemish make the best fries in the world.  I don’t ever eat fries in the states but over here I’ve had more fries in the past 6 months than probably the last 10 years!  I don’t know what they do different to cook them but every US person I talk to agree that fries are way better over here.  Now, they typically serve them with mayonnaise (that’s their traditional topping) but you can ask for ketchup.  If you go to a Frites stand you can get any number of toppings other than mayo and ketchup.  Dave loves the fries with mayonnaise and I think it’s something you fall in love with or you say ICK!  I personally like to mix a little mayo with my ketchup.  OK, so enough about fries!  We finished the day off with some homemade gelato cones and then headed home.  We had a wonderful day in Breda.

This is going to be a long post…

So on Tuesday this week I went on an Epicurean Dutch Walkabout with five other ladies in the AWCA.  We had a lot of fun and I made new friends that day.  We started at Central Station and started out on our walk – first we went to a butcher who won awards for his smoked sausage that he makes, next stop was a cheese shop – and I got the coolest cheese “guillotine” there!  It will slice through the very hard, aged cheeses like butter – love it!  Across the street from the cheese shop is a very exclusive hand-dipped chocolate shop – yes, I spent a few euros in there.  Next stop was a bakery/ice cream shop that made their own stroopwafels – this is the traditional Dutch cookie that is two very thin, buttery waffles with a very thin buttery, caramel/honey filling, yes, they are YUM!  The way this little bakery made them was a little different, very crispy but oh so good!  Next stop – Yep – couldn’t miss the Frites – which I already described to you above.  Then, our final stop was a Brown Bar – these are everywhere in Europe and is a very old pub that serves several types of beer.  This one had something like 15 beers on tap from all around Europe.  I cannot remember the name of the one I had but it was very tasty.  I also tasted cider for the first time – not apple cider, hard cider.  It was quite tasty too.  It was a fun day of tastings.

 

Yesterday was one of the highlights of being here in Holland.  I got to go see the tulip fields while in bloom.  One of the women I met at AWCA was gracious enough to drive me and one of our other friends to the town where they are.  The weather turned a little chillier than any of us expected but we had a beautiful day.  No rain!  It is so hard to describe this because there is color everywhere and oh so many types of tulips – you cannot imagine.  Driving to the Gardens are fields and fields of color – some were green as some types of tulips have already come and gone but there was still so much color.  The season runs from the end of March to the middle of May and depending on the climate and rainfall the peak week can be different each year.  I think we got there just in time.  There were some fields that were “spent” and others that were on their way out and then so many still vibrant.  The place we went to is called Keukenhof Gardens (you can Google it) which is like an amusement park for anyone who loves color and nature.  I think we spent about five hours walking around with a few breaks here and there for eats and drink.  I took lots of pictures – some came out great – some not so great – but I have a memory I will not forget.

Well, today I am catching up on some paperwork and need to run a few errands…but I will write again before I leave because I still have things I have to do and see!

Hugs!

Look at the size of this tulip!  That's my fist.

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

It's Been A While...

I guess I haven’t written since we got Liam.  Our lives changed somewhat with him being brought into the family.  We now have to go on walks at least twice and sometimes three times a day.  So that takes up a big chunk of the day.  We also are not leaving him longer than 3-3.5 hours in his kennel so that also stipulates what you can and can’t do.  Most days during the week Dave takes him to the shop with him so that does give me some free days.

AWCA Newcomer's Coffee

Let’s see the first week of March I went to the Women’s Club meeting and saw quite a few women that I met when I first came to Amsterdam but they were gone for the holidays.  And when I say gone for the holidays – that means gone for most of the winter.  Quite a few of the American women that have lived here for more than a year take a winter vacation and go back to the states or travel to warmer climates.  One of my friends just sent me a website link that was titled – “Have Dutch women found the secret to happiness?”  The article had very interesting facts about Dutch women – there has basically been no “feminism” movement here and less than 10% of the women work full-time.  They are very content with taking care of the family, going for coffee and lunch while the kids are in school and letting their husbands support the family.  I have found also that most American women that come over here because of their husband’s employment do not work either.  And they are having fun “playing” during the day – which includes, coffees, lunches, shopping, touring other cities, the list goes on and on.  Apparently, there is also a new book out entitled “Dutch Women Don’t Get Depressed.”  So, yes, I have gotten to experience this lifestyle for the past five months and it is a lot of fun.  But I’m not sure I would want to do it the rest of my life.  If I am put in that situation in the future I plan on volunteering and having a hobby.  Which I have gotten many ideas for while being here so I plan on using my hands to be a little creative in the near future.  So talking about the “Dutch Woman” lifestyle, last week I went to a coffee one day, a lunch another day and another trip to the Polish Pottery Warehouse which also included a lunch out.  I am having fun but I know that it will end soon so I am taking advantage of every day I have here.  But on the other side, I am also very excited to come back to the states, hopefully resume my job, take care of my family and enjoy my friends.

Delft

Saturday Dave, Liam and I took a little road trip to Delft.  Yes, this is the city where the Delft Pottery is made.  It is a very quaint village and it was a lot of fun to walk around.  Since we had the little family addition with us we could not both go into the cathedrals or museum.  Delft is where Vermeer was born and so there is quite a lot of history about him and his life there.  Strangely it seemed the city does not “own” any of his works because Dave went into the small museum and it was basically the story of his life but nothing but copies of his works.  On a weekend earlier in our time here we did drive to Den Haag and viewed Vermeer’s “Girl with the Pearl Earring” which is just beautiful.  There are also two cathedrals where at one of them all the Dutch Kings and Queens are buried and there is also a huge bell tower that you can climb up and tour.  Maybe on another trip we will climb the bell tower.  We walked around the village, the street market was that day so bought a few veggies, sat in the square and had a cappuccino while Dave went in the museum, Dave sat there while I bought myself a tulip vase and then we had a yummy lunch at another square that had mature trees in it and the cafes had put their tables all under the trees.  The weather was cool and crisp but not too cold to sit outside.  Liam enjoyed a “chewie” that Dave had bought him at the market.  It was a delightful day.

Liam and I

Well Dave had to go back to the states and guess who’s here taking care of his puppy!  Yep, me!  I’ve had some good days and some not so good days.  Now I know as I write this everyone will probably have suggestions for me to break some of his habits.  That’s fine…I’ll try what I can.

I found out that Liam is a stone eater, yes the gross way – and the only place we have close to the apartment for him to go potty is covered in stones!  And don’t even go on the internet to see how to break the habit – all you read are horror stories of puppy's and dog’s consequences of eating stones.  So he had me worried for a day or so.  I think we’re in the clear for now since I am keeping him away from those areas.  Since that is the case, I have been taking him to the closest grassy area, which is about 3 blocks away, every morning about 6:45.  That would be fine if he would walk on a leash!  I am having the darnedest time getting him to walk on a leash so half of the way I am carrying him – aaannnddd he’s not supposed to go up and down stairs and we live on the third floor – yep, more carrying!  I guess I won’t have to lift weights for a while.  When we get to the grassy area I drop the leash and he’s pretty good at coming to me or following me but once we get back on the sidewalk, yep, sit down and watch the world go by.  Yes, I’ve tried treats, I’ve tried using a stern voice, I’ve tried just “good boy” – the only time I can get him to follow me on the sidewalk is if I let the leash go and he walks behind me and then there has to be treats every block or so.  I only do this on the back streets where there is no traffic!  If someone has a miracle answer, let me know!

One of my friends here suggested that I put his potty pad out on our balcony so he relates going potty with outdoors since I can’t rush him out of the house every half hour to go.  I was hesitant at first because we weren’t letting him in the bedroom but then thought I might as well give it a try – better out there than in the house.  I tried it a couple days ago and he seemed to really like it out there – I decided I would feed him out there and then leave him to do his business since that is usually when he does it.  It went well and when he got done he lied down and took a nap.  Yesterday wasn’t quite as successful.  Today has been really good.

Today, after the morning walk, breakfast and a little play time, Liam and I went out onto the balcony – it was cold out, still ice on his water, but the sun was beating down onto the balcony, there was no wind and it was just delightful to sit out there.  Liam had some toys and a chewy that kept him occupied and I started a new book.

The new book I’m reading – I’m not sure why I chose it when I downloaded it onto my Kindle, I think because I like stories set in England and Scotland – but just getting into the beginning of it made me think.  It’s called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  It’s a book of letters written in the 1940s mainly between a young writer and her publisher with other letters in between.  What fascinated me today while reading – mind you on a Kindle – is her fascination with books and bookshops.  Now I really enjoy the compactness, the ease of reading and all the “extra” features that my Kindle offers me but I don’t want to lose that fascination and inspiration you get from a real book or a real bookshop – the feel and look of both.  Reading this writer’s letters and her deep love of her books made me really think.  I have a friend in the states that always amazes me with her knowledge of varied subjects and I know she is just one of these people that loves her books.  I’m sure there are many of you out there with this same love of books or maybe of some other medium but this is just one that I hope we never lose.

Hugs to all.

P.S.  Oh yeah and I think he has doubled in size in the past week!

Ghent, Belgium

What a beautiful, inspiring city to see...I loved it, would recommend visiting it and would like to go back.  It is a no car city centrum so you do not need to worry about looking out for a cars and only an occasional bicyclist.  Walking through the small streets, looking at the architecture and listening to the bells chime – yes, it is one of those European villages that you see on TV.

Dave and I left Amsterdam early Saturday morning and drove to Ghent – about a 2 hour drive.  Dave had asked for early check-in at the Marriott and so we were able to put our bags in our room when we got there and tend to a few personal things after the drive.  J  I have to say we did not have the best weather – very windy, cloudy and cool – but we didn’t mind it at all.  Dave had visited Ghent on a previous trip and knew I would be totally awestruck by the quaintness, beauty and history surrounding this village.  We ventured out and began walking through the streets.

 

The first place we decided to explore was the Sint-Baafskathedraal translated St. Bavo's Cathedral which, to me, was as amazing as Notre Dame in Paris and is also the home of the 24-panel altarpiece titled The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painted by the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck.  I enjoyed viewing the altarpiece but the ornamentation in this cathedral was absolutely beautiful and then going down into the crypt where there were original frescos still on the arched ceilings captivated me.  The history is fascinating where the original structure on the site was a wooden church dedicated to St. John in 942.  It was replaced by a Romanesque church in 1038 which parts have survived in the crypt.  Construction on the new Gothic church began in the early 14th century and continued for about two hundred years.  I could have walked around in there for a much longer time but there were other places to see!

 

After the cathedral Dave and I stopped to have a sandwich and some delicious cauliflower soup.  We then went to the Gravensteen Castle translated to Castle of the Counts.  If you have never been in a castle and have only seen them in movies, like me, oh my goodness, what an experience!  More amazement for me!  The Gravensteen was constructed around 1177-1178 by Fillips of Alsasse who was count of Flanders.  I just loved going through each of the rooms and up the spiral staircases.  They also had weapons, torture equipment and a guillotine on display – what a barbaric time.  Movies make it look so romantic but when you see these things in person and also realize that in the dead of winter that castle was not so warm – you then can only visualize and imagine what that life must have been like.  We live in a very cushy and spoiled life – and we complain when the dishwasher doesn’t work or the cable went out!  I’ve decided we are a bunch of whiners!  How much more so we should be thankful each day for how blessed we are.

Dinner Restaurant

We then did some more walking around the village but darkness and the wind and cold were getting to be a little much so we headed back to the hotel room to rest for a bit.  After our rest, we went to a restaurant just across the canal from our hotel.  Dave had eaten at it before on a business trip and knew that I would enjoy it.  We had not made a reservation but they were able to put us at one of the bar's high-top tables which was still delightful.  And can I just say YUM!  The best sea bass and risotto topped with an arugula salad I have ever eaten.  My husband knows me well. 

After dinner Dave wanted to check out this tiny bar that he and some the guys had been to and show it to me.  Belgium and Holland are both known for their liquor called Jenever – I’ve been told it’s the same as Gin but it sure doesn’t taste like the Gin we have in the states.  The man that owns this little bar makes his own Jenever in many flavors and that is all he serves so Dave asked him what he would recommend for an after-dinner aperitif.  He brought us a small glass of his 14 year old Jenever that he makes.  Now I am not a big drinker but I must say this was tasty in a small dose.  However, while sitting there more and more people were coming in and ordering what looked like a creamy, tan colored Jenever.  So I asked Dave if he would find out what it was – he brought me back a glass (all are served in a shot glass size) – it was this gentleman’s homemade Belgian Chocolate Jenever.  Can I say it was the best dessert I’ve ever had.

If that wasn’t enough, we had dessert waiting for us in our hotel room also.  On our walk around the village we came across a place called Julie’s House which had a window full of homemade cakes, tarts and sweets – we purchased a couple of pieces – Tiramisu and a Flourless Chocolate Tart – no need to explain the taste!  We went to bed very full!



The following morning we took another walk to get our last little view of the village.  This is when Dave recorded the bells ringing that some of you probably heard on our Facebook pages.  After checking out of the hotel we drove over to a little town called Sint Denijs Westrem about 20 minutes away to the home of one Taylor’s new employees.  We had an absolutely delightful time with Frank and his family enjoying homemade pumpkin soup with crusty bread and cheese and just getting to know each other better.  A wonderful ending to a wonderful weekend adventure.



Belgian Work Horses



So much to talk about...

We had so much fun when the kids were here over the holiday.  We all had fun on New Year’s Eve.  I think I have told most everyone about it but it is an experience I don’t think anyone of us will forget.  Down on Museumplein is where most of the action for the night was.  In front of the Rijksmuseum there is a huge grassy plein where the city set up a large stage with jumbotron screens, food and drink booths and toilets.  Around 9:00 pm the area was open to the public and since we were in the middle of the beautiful snowmelt, it was quite muddy and slippery so made for a fun night to watch people too!  I think the six of us headed down about 9:30 pm and after bundling up for the weather we started on the approximately 12 block distance.  Which is nothing after you’ve been here a while.  Here in Holland, New Year’s Eve is the only day that civilians can set off fireworks and they can purchase fireworks of all sizes.  So shortly after the sun set the fireworks slowly began.  On our walk down to the plein we were watching and hearing fireworks on every block we trekked.  As we got closer to the plein, more and more people, children and fireworks were everywhere.  As we entered the plein, there was a local DJ playing music and videos of various scenes of Amsterdam being shown on the jumbotrons, it was very entertaining but as I said watching young and old walking trying to stay away from mud puddles and having fun was entertaining also.  Joaquin had a blast just dancing to the music, watching fireworks all around and being out late at night with us.  Uncle Gabe took some fun video and we were just waiting for Joaquin to take the wrong step and end up in a mud puddle – but to our amazement it didn’t happen!  Gabe also took some fun video of all the fireworks that were non-stop in every direction you looked.  The big kids were amazed that they could get good, European beers for 2 euros a piece, so they began partying!  About 10:45, Poppi, Grammi (me) and Joaquin decided we would head back to the apartment.  So much fun just walking back to the apartment, as I have said, fireworks were everywhere you looked.  We got back to the apartment and settled in and at midnight – you would have thought we were in the middle of a warzone and it did not let up until about 1.  Joaquin and I watched for a while just outside our balcony window in our bedroom and watched a full on fireworks show being displayed right in the courtyard behind our apartment.  We then climbed in bed and Dave and Joaquin began snoring as I laid there and listened until about 1.  The big kids got home about 1:30 and the next morning said what a great experience it was.  Rachel said it is more fun and even with a plane ticket probably less money than the cost of a party, drinks, new clothes, shoes, etc. that she would have paid in the states for New Year’s Eve.  I think I neglected to say that the evening was free other than food and drink.  She wants to come back next year! 

 

 

The following week we had fun going to Street Markets, Anne Frank’s house, Rembrandt’s house, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, the big kids to Heineken Experience, Joaquin ice skating, eating out and eating warm profiterjes (small Dutch pancakes) and Belgian waffles with butter and powdered sugar at the holiday stands in the town squares.  Much fun was had by all!

On Friday, January 7^th, Gabe and Michael headed back home, the next day Rachel, Joaquin and I headed home and then the following day Dave followed us.  Back to reality for the kids – work and school, Dave to the NAMM show and I tried to see as many friends as possible and headed up to the NAMM show on Saturday the 14^th.  It was so good to see most of our CA friends while home enjoying dinner with some and just special moments with others. 

On Sunday after I left the NAMM show I drove over to Ontario to meet up with Joel, Tiffany and the girls.  So much fun to see them and hug and kiss my little munchkins – Audy London was a little cranky and Ella was just her happy self, but I loved every minute of it.  I’m hoping we can get their family over here before we come back to the states.  I also enjoyed picking Joaquin up from school and spending the afternoons with him and helping him with his homework.  I stopped by my workplace and I think they actually want me to come back to work when I get back.  That makes me happy – I really enjoy where I work and the people I work with.

On Thursday, January 20^th Dave headed back to Amsterdam and on Friday I headed to Florida to visit family.  I had so much fun with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew.  I’m sorry I didn’t get to see any of my Florida friends this trip.  Even though I was there for a week it seems it went by just too fast.  Mom had some business stuff that I needed to help her with along with buying a couple of new appliances that had died and I did my best hooking them up.  I can get around a computer doing word processing or spreadsheets but ask me to hook up a DVD – mmm – I’m a little techno-challenged!  But after looking at the directions and plugging wires in and out for a bit – it worked and the TV still worked so I figured I did OK!  My last day in Florida we went out to Clearwater Beach and enjoyed Conch Fritters and Grouper Sandwiches while sitting right on the beach – all I can say is the weather was absolutely gorgeous, the food delicious and the company perfect.  It was the perfect ending to my trip.

Now I am back here in the beautiful city of Amsterdam and I am going to treasure every minute I am here.  Dave and I originally thought we would be here at least a year if not longer but on this last trip to CA he found out we will probably be heading back to the states in May – and there is so much I want to do and experience while here so I have to get busy!  And I have made some wonderful friends that I will miss dearly but I plan on coming back to see them.

My last note – most of you have seen on Dave’s blog that he has picked out his belated Christmas present and will bring him home in two weeks – an absolutely adorable Bernese Mountain puppy.  And yes, we know how big they get – bigger than Tank, if any of you can imagine!  But it’s a breed Dave has wanted for quite a few years so now he will have one.  You will all get to meet him when we get back home!  I will post a photo later as Dave has them all on his computer (and he has it with him at work today!)

Hugs to all til next time!