Autumn at Castle St. Gerlach

A few days at St. Gerlach Castle, during a beautiful, sunny autumn.

THE SEASON'S ORGANIC VEG. PATCH.

This is where we were staying! I love the extra window, painted on the wall  (behind it was our (very spacious) bathroom)).

Sunny Setting.

Last week's view from my lovely home.
And as the sun sets (and smiles) over Amsterdam, so it sets over this blog.

Being busy with the business, a new website (which might include a 'professional' blog) and actually making/marketing jewellery, are the reasons for this "blog-slumber".
I'm hoping, the next phase will be a wonderful experience.

Thank you, to all who have, faithfully, followed this blog.
I'll give details of my website, as soon as it's ready and 'keep you posted' !

Garbage collector of canals

The Amsterdam canals are beautiful but to keep them that way, they need a lot of maintenance. For instance: the garbage needs to be removed. We're not just talking about paper or plastic waste...no, this is about using two, large barges, one with a krane with claw mounted on top, and picking up all the sad 'little' shipwrecks, partly or completely sunk, which can be found all along the canals.
This means that, sometimes, they have to scrape the bottom to look for a boat that has 'disappeared'. Usually the grip comes back up, holding a few, rusty, bicycles.
Here's this morning's evidence.

On the way to pick up

and back again, a few wrecks richer

It's very well organised and documented. Pictures are taken as proof of the state the wreck was in, before they're removed and lists of those boats + location are placed on the internet, weeks in advance.
Here's an AT5 article about it: WRECK-REMOVAL

Happy Easter

A lovely slooow day, with Easter Brunch and time to contemplate.

present for Easter

More neighbourhood-progress

It was the First (and only) day, when the weather was warm enough to sit outside on my balcony, last week. Picture me all homely and peaceful, cleaning, organic, brussels sprouts on a piece of newspaper. Suddenly I heard a low rumble and a lot of clanging noises when, out of nowhere, two huge cranes, slowly, loomed over the rooftops opposite me. What in the....?

Turns out, work has started on renovating the old tram depot, behind the next row of houses, and turning it into a centre for Media, Culture, Fashion and Trade. Tv studios, Cinemas, Restaurants, small businesses, Art, Shops, Training centres...you name it!
It's a large and amazing project, which will take 2 years to build... If they stick to the plan, it will be Good for the neighbourhood!
For those who are interested, please click on: TRAM DEPOT RENOVATION
Here's an impression of what some of it will look like.

I'm really excited about the end product. I realise that after two years of earth tremors, pounding of huge posts into the ground and everything else that comes with building work, I might sing a different tune. But for now....Hey Ho, Here we go...UPWARDS AND ONWARDS.

Little Red Tag

Amsterdam has been held at ransom by bicycles for way too long. They've become a 'health hazard' and the council has decided to give the City, drastic, Angioplasty treatment.  'Special Forces' have been sent out to 'tag and drag' illegally parked bicycles or their rusty 'leftovers'. You get two weeks to save your precious means of transport, so Be Warned!

this one got away

On the Up and Up

I've lived here for just over a year now, and even during that fairly short time I've noticed how quickly the area seems to be on the Up and Up (as they say).
The once, slightly dodgy, massage salons and, pungent smelling 'coffee shops' have been replaced by clean, light, inviting bagel-and-coffee places or comfy restaurants with 'honest' food on their menus and even a few, classy, restaurants like Screaming Beans (an absolute must).

Last week, the new kid on the block called Bilder & De Clerq turned out to be a 'Ready, Steady, Cook' type of supermarket, mainly intended for working couples or single people, who just don't have the time to think long and hard about what they're going to eat (let alone cook) that evening.
We went to have a browse and were pleasantly surprised. An amazing idea, well excecuted at a great location. Looks like it will be an instant Hit!

Here's a fun, English link, I found on the internet :BILDER & DE CLERQ

Mum 80

collection of old pictures and documents

There I was, having a quiet afternoon with a few others at my mothers' when, out of the blue, she said something about having a party for her 80th birthday.
Suddenly, a tangible increase of awareness filled the room. Heads looked up and eyes darted, nervously, from one person to an other.
What?.....what was that?....did?....did mum just mention the word...party?...uh oh!
When mum says party...she means... PARTAYYYYYY.

As soon as I got home, I called my sister in England: Hey, mum says she wants a party... (silence) ... Hello? ... Did she say Party or was it more like..drinks and nibbles? ... Nope, she said Party ... Okayyyyyy (spoken by someone who's little grey cells have just gone into overdrive), Uh oh! ... I know! .... Right, a plan of action is needed! I'll jot some things down and will get back to you. ... Great I already have an idea regarding presents and will also get back to you.
That's how it started.
In the end our 'Mum of Mums' (with help from Dick) managed to organise two parties. One, a sit down dinner for 50+ people at our favourite restaurant Flamingo Paradise and one for 27 'neighbours' at her apartment (with catering).
Both were a great success. The first was like a reunion of many old 'Shell friends' and also some relatives. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. "Best party in a long time", I was told by many.

Birthday Girl being sung to

 

sharing crazy times/praising mum

A 'GOOD-NEWS-YEAR' TO ALL

2012....A volatile year for most, to say the least.

                    May 2013 be a GOOD-NEWS-YEAR.

Christmas Carol flash mob

Natasha surrounded by her friends

I'm sooo proud of my niece Natasha who was part of the coolest Christmas Carol flash mob, last Saturday. It was held at a shopping centre in Maidstone and organised by an amazing group of 'youngsters' from her church. Very Impressive!!!

It's been placed on You Tube. To watch it, please click on: FLASH MOB.    (don't miss out on the breakdancing bit).

8th December 2012, Maidstone Flash Mob, Kent, England.
Performed by Jubilee Church and Jubilee Training Centre to bring the precious message of Christmas to Maidstone shoppers. People were moved to tears at this amazing event.
www.jubilee.co
www.jubileetc.org.ukk

Below, Natasha receives her certificate in Christian Ministries, together with her fellow students.

Art Ceramics Studio Gillian Smith

I've mentioned my ceramics/porcelain class before and how much we all enjoy it, so I've decided to take some pictures of the studio. We're an international bunch of women and yes, also men. Because the evenings are getting darker and colder, I've changed from an evening course to a day course and am now trying to make some porcelain jewellery. No finished products yet, but that'll come.
To have a look at Gillian's website, click on:ART CERAMICS STUDIO

Above a picture of Gillian making coffee and tea for us. In the backround one can see a HUGE kiln.

FALL.

It's that time of year. Cold and windy outside but, thankfully, warm and cosy inside. It's also time for....oliebollen, sprinkled (or thickly coated) with icing sugar. Yummmmmmmmmm.

For info./recipe on oliebollen click on:OLIEBOLLEN

Gifts

Not only was I given a HUGE, fragrant, bouquet of flowers, on Friday. I was also put to the test by having an elegantly wrapped present placed on the living room table and not being allowed to open it till this morning.
Grinding of teeth, Chewing of nails,  Rapid Blinking of eyes!!! ....but I passed the test succesfully and was able to unwrap this BEAUTIFUL watch (middle).

Testing...testing...