Birthday treat, Vinkeles Amsterdam

Any excuse for a special treat (and one of our favourite occupations)!
Occasion: Eric's birthday, Treat: dinner at Vinkeles.

Vinkeles, hotel The Dylan on the Keizersgracht has 1 Michelin star and we could taste and experience why.
A lovely, warm and welcoming place, oozing history.
Our baby-faced, extremely knowledgeable, sommelier not only poured us the (birthday-surprise) champagne and our choice (not his) of wine from Italy (Il Templare) but also fed our brains with the interesting information we had asked for.
Executive chef Dennis Kuipers delighted us with delicious, and sometimes spectacular, food-creations which were served by professional staff with an eye for detail.
An amazing evening, made even more special by our view of the, beautifully lit, courtyard garden, while proper snowflakes fell, slowly, from the heavens and formed a thick, white carpet. We couldn't have wished for a more romantic evening.

Porcelain jewellery

Though production is in somewhat of a slump (due to an arm, which seems to have given up on me, momentarily) I was still able to take some pictures of the few things I did make. Looking forward to the moment I can start again, though.

'Jellyfish'

Porcelain with gold lustre, gold, pearls, amethyst and zircon.
For information on porcelain course click on:
http://nl-nl.facebook.com/pages/Art-Ceramics-Studio-Gillian-Smith/162531940815

Confused Coot

AHHHHH...WATER!

(maybe not)

Hot 'n Cold

Grebes courting

It felt like spring, two days ago:

buds on trees

And then suddenly...

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.