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?
by Krista | Jul 20, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
I absolutely love my brother’s rooftop terrace.
He’s been working hard cleaning it all up, power-washing and sealing the wood, hauling out old plants and nurturing new ones. It’s going to be a gorgeous oasis right in the heart of the city and we’re already smitten.
Every chance we get us girls (bro’s fiance, Mum-in-law, sis-in-law) are here soaking up sunshine, reading good books, and gabbing away happily as we watch boats chug by on the canals below.
Today we were up there and saw this chap across the way, hanging FOUR STORIES up in the air with nary a rope nor bit of scaffolding in sight as he painted the molding. Yipes! It made my stomach queasy just watching him.
Once he made it back inside without tumbling to the courtyard below, we settled back into our chairs with cups of lemony tea and disappeared into our books.
It was a perfectly lazy sunny afternoon.
Where is your favorite spot to escape to on an unexpectedly free afternoon?
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