by Krista | Jul 28, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
After weeks of pouring rain and cold days, this morning we woke to blazing sunshine and heat so intense we had to throw off blankets and put our hair up. Yay!!! We’re pretty darn excited. 🙂
Today I’m tucked away in my room whilst painters work until late into the night finishing up the last of the paint jobs. It looks like a bio-hazard scene in here with everything draped in sheets of plastic and men dressed all in white wandering about. 🙂
Here are a few more shots from the wonderful canal boat ride we took the other day through Broek in Waterland. Many of the cottages you see were the vacation homes of Amsterdam’s upper class during the 17th century. They remain vacation homes to this day since it’s too wet to live here year round.
This was one of my favorite places. I was captivated by those dazzling red shutters and the wild, overgrown garden.
A peaceful section of the canal, still and quiet on a stormy afternoon.
This cracked me up! What a splendid place for a driveway. We had to duck down to get under it. 🙂
I just love the profusion of cheery nasturtiums along that old wooden fence and the bright orange boat. Rainy days could never get you down puttering in a boat that color.
Tomorrow I’ll show you some of the gorgeous and wild countryside we saw as we meandered through a nature preserve just as the storm broke.
What would be your favorite type of vacation home?
by Krista | Jul 27, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Hi luvs! My brother’s house is full of workmen installing electrics, laying carpet, and painting nearly every wall and ceiling in sight.
They’re a lovely bunch of Turkish, Moroccan and Polish chaps doing a splendid job, but while they’re here we are banished to the rooftop terrace, far away from internet connections, laptops, and whatnot. So if I disappear for a few days, never fear, all is well. 🙂
Now it’s after 1 a.m. and I’m tuckered out so I shall leave you with the prettiest doctor’s office entrance I’ve ever seen. It makes my numerous trips there most delightful. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
by Krista | Jul 26, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
This weekend we braved wind and rain to go adventuring outside Amsterdam. We filled the car with sweaters, coats and snacks and drove out to Broek in Waterland.
It is a marvelous place – quite possibly the best adventure I’ve ever had in the Netherlands.
It consists of 6-7 hours worth of canals meandering through 17th century villages and nature preserves. Every meter is filled with more visual delights than you can possibly take in.
Since we chose a day with perfectly ghastly weather, we had the place to ourselves – a perk we loved.
There were six of us so we divided up into two whisper quiet electric boats and received simple instructions, detailed maps and a pile of waterproof blankets.
Then we were off!!
Since a rather wicked storm was approaching, we opted for the 2 hour tour which was supposed to get us back before the rains started. It didn’t quite work out that way, but to be honest, we didn’t mind a bit.
I was utterly delighted by this treehouse. Wouldn’t you have loved clambering up there as a kid? Spying on all the folks puttering down the canals?
I like how the canal boats have their own little “garage” they’re kept in on the water.
And one day I would love to stay in a darling cottage just like this.
I can’t wait to show you more pictures of our watery explorations, but now I need to get back to the workmen in the house and attempt our motley communications of mingled Turkish, Dutch and English.
Do you like boating?
by Krista | Jul 25, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
by Krista | Jul 21, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
After nearly a solid week of rain, we were so happy to get out in the sunshine yesterday evening for a walk through the neighborhood.
The air smelled wonderfully fresh and clean and window boxes overflowed with blooms that glowed lush and brilliant in the setting sun.
I love this neighborhood. It’s both quiet and companionable, cafes and restaurants filled with locals chatting away over Italian wine, Dutch beer, and scrumptious food.
We met up with our Bulgarian friend Diliana at De Italiaan, a bustling spot known for wood-fired thin crust pizzas and high quality ingredients shipped directly from small farms in Italy. I love the lighting and convivial atmosphere and was especially charmed by the stacks of cheery red blankets scattered about for the use of chilly guests.
Most of our group ordered their favorite pizza, but as soon as I heard the Special – handmade ravioli filled with Dutch cheese and asparagus and topped with a pesto cream sauce – I had to have it.
We eagerly tucked in and happily swapped a bite of this for a slice of that until we were thoroughly stuffed.
We strolled home as the sun set over the rooftops, lamplight dancing across the canals.
What is your favorite neighborhood to stroll through? What do you love most about it?
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