The Me-me-link.Amsterdam (written in English)

18 February 2013

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The once, slightly dodgy, massage salons and, pungent smelling 'coffee shops' have been replaced by clean, light, inviting bagel-and-coffee places or comfy restaurants with 'honest' food on their menus and even a few, classy, restaurants like Screaming Beans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

14 February 2013

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.

30 January 2013

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

29 January 2013

Confused Coot

AHHHHH...WATER!

(maybe not)

16 January 2013

Hot 'n Cold

Grebes courting

It felt like spring, two days ago:

buds on trees

And then suddenly...

11 January 2013

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.