by Krista | Aug 8, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, luvs! How was your weekend?
We were ecstatic to see glorious sunshine on Sunday afternoon and made the most of it by renting a 12-person boat to float down the canals outside Amsterdam with dear friends.
It was heavenly.
My brother did a splendid job as our captain, steering us through quaint villages and open fields, under tight-squeeze bridges and around hairpin curves.
The rest of us leaned back and soaked up sunshine as we sipped beer and wine, nibbled our way through sausages, crisps and chocolate, and talked up a storm as we let all the stresses of the week melt away.
Over and over we exclaimed: “It looks just like a painting!” as we passed diminutive windmills and hearty cattle seemingly propped against a background of lush green grass and cloud-studded skies.
How I loved this day spent with the dearest folks, eating scrumptious food, and delighting in the myriad beauties of the Dutch countryside.
What is your favorite memory from your weekend?
by Krista | Aug 5, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
It is never a good thing when the hairdresser takes a look at your hair and says, “It’s a pity.” 🙂
Alas, such was the case with the flamboyant fellow who examined my tresses today. Thankfully he had a few tricks up his sleeves after years of working on the hair of such folks as Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, and Heather Locklear, and somehow managed to work his magic. He then pronounced my pitiable state transformed into “GORGEOUS!” 😉
"a pity"..."gorgeous"...what do you think? 🙂
In all honesty – I LOVE it!! He did a fantastic job and it looks and feels so much healthier. Yay for clever hairdressers! 🙂
My sis-in-laws Mom also got hers done, so to celebrate (our bravery) Melissa took us both out to lunch.
She found the perfect sunshiny spot at Cafe Fijn Hout right on a quiet canal.
The sunshine felt glorious after so many days and weeks of cold, rainy weather, and we basked in it.
Lunch was heartily scrumptious: creamy watercress soup topped with shrimp and fish.
And fantastic sandwiches on toasted thick brown bread. Melissa had a mackerel sandwich topped with all sorts of veggies.
And I tucked into an equally scrumptious one layered with soft goat cheese, honey, walnuts, balsamic vinegar, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
After a week of working so hard on numerous projects, it felt heavenly to sit awhile, soak up sunshine, and have a good ol’ visit. We’re looking forward to a gorgeous weekend with all sorts of interesting adventures that I’ll tell you about next week.
What are you up to this weekend, dear ones?
by Krista | Aug 4, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
We set out to run errands in Amsterdam the other day, heading towards a fantastic place I can’t wait to share with you.
Before we set off, my sis-in-law popped into her favorite spot for coffee – de koffie salon – to pick up drinks and delectables like cookies filled with dark chocolate or marzipan and topped with candied ginger. Yum!!
While she was gone I waited in the car, looking about me to see what I could see.
Here are a few shots of the side streets of Amsterdam I saw from my perch in the back seat.
Isn’t it charming? Yes, it rains an outrageous amount here, and the skies are gray more than they’re blue, but it is still such a beautiful place.
What is your favorite place for coffee in your home town?
by Krista | Aug 1, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
It’s gloriously sunny in Amsterdam today, and I wish you were here with me to sit on my brother’s terrace, linger over lunch, and have a good ol’ visit. 🙂
After we eat we could snooze in the sun and watch the clouds drift by.
Or watch the boats motoring along the canal below.
Then settle back to enjoy the sunset with a seagull perched on a nearby chimney.
What would you like to do on a lazy sunny afternoon in Amsterdam?
by Krista | Jul 29, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
In fall and winter Amsterdam can often seem like a drab city with its dark grey skies, row upon row of dull brick buildings, and canals that mirror the bleakness of the clouds.
But in the summer, even with no backyards or front lawns to landscape, the Dutch manage to create colorful bits of beauty out of the tiniest of spaces.
Like this gorgeous rambling rose bush planted in a teensy square of dirt less than one foot square.
Or these hollyhocks, ferns and vines planted in a sliver of space only a few inches wide.
I love those perky pink geraniums set on the windowsill and those lush vines clambering everywhere.
And this is one of my favorites, my upstairs view of our downstairs neighbors balcony. Such a gorgeous spot to sit and have morning coffee while looking out over the canals.
Today my brother got the last of his plants delivered and this weekend we get to all pitch in and make the rooftop terrace a stunning oasis. I promise to share pictures with you next week. 🙂
Wishing you a fabulous weekend, dear ones!
xo
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