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11 July, 2009

Our Random Weekend.

So Daniel and I were feeling a little "couped up" after the rainy days we've had since being back from Holland. We were going to try to go into downtown Hannover to look for the large fleamarket and vintage shops but Bea & Cord had to go to wedding today and we had no car to use. We were really bummed. This was last minute news to us. This is why we have been thinking very seriously about buying our own car. First choice: An Old Mini-Cooper :) So, since we don't actually have a MINI yet, our alternative was to take the bus/train system into town. However, one of the bikes we were going to use to get to the bus stop (a mile+ away) suddenly has a flat tire. So, I was very frustrated but my engineer husband engineered another option for us. I was very reluctant but it was quite a laugh once I gave in and we started on our trip. Check it out. I know, it was rediculous. My knees were in my face and every person we passed and said, "hallo" to only looked at us with wide eyes like we were clowns. Well, we kind of were!
We made it to the bus stop and waited an hour but the bus never came. Apparently we misunderstood something! Surprise! Oh well, we rode to our friends house just down the street and they took us into town with their car to go shopping. On the way I caught a glimpse of a wedding at a local church. The same church where our friends daughter was baptized.
The newlywed mobile. Pretty nice, huh?I took a picture of this drink because it's actually quite popular here in Germany. It's all organic and naturally fermented juice from different things like lychee, ginger, elderberry, etc. No added sugar. It's fabulous if you ask me. You find this as often as you would coke back home. I wish we had an alternative this common back home!
My new sandals from Holland. My much needed new ballet flats, also from Holland. These are super dooper soft like butter. I was so happy because I have a really hard time finding shoes that fit and allow my feet their quirks. I usually have to take a very long time to break them in...which really translates to my own feet being broken for a while. Not this time! I absolutely heart these pens in Europe. I think you can find them in the US but they are rarely used. The first time I learned about them was from Frederike a few years back. The best part is that the ink cartriges are really easily replacable, so you can keep it forever!
One of my piddly little projects. I need something to go inside the glass jar because the candle is just a little small. Dried flowers? Rocks? Something. I haven't decided.
I was so happy when Bea told me I could take some new bed sheets for our Bettdecken (comforters) because our other ones were orange and red. Those are nice colors, but they evoke a firey side in me so I prefer lighter, gentler colors. I also recovered our couch cushions in some too-big pillow cases and it made me feel happier and more relaxed. How cute is my sleeping Ollie? :)
Daniel said they were a little bit girly but I have no idea what he was talking about. heheh. jk. I'm a girl, duh!
Yesterday it was rainy and we spent part of the day with Bea's sister Miriam at the hospital to see her and the new baby Levy. Afterwards I made Daniel the "Erdnussbutter-Fingers" aka "Peanut Butter Fingers" he's been dying to have. We had to wait until we went to Holland to buy peanut butter because it was 1/3 the price it is in Deutschland. Here were the results! I say "were" because in the first 20 minutes nearly 1/3 of the dish was gone! Daniel ate the whole thing in one day.


10 July, 2009

Nothing Better Than....

A good belly laugh. Actually, there is nothing better than the raw laughter of a baby.

I fell In Love With The Idea of...

Red Roses. Daniel Fell In Love With Them Too.
Having An Old Bistro Table.


Driving A Classy White Mini.




A Beautiful And Ornate Front Door.


French Doors, My Own Balcony, and Lamps Like These.

Riding A Bike With An Excessively Large Basket to Bio Markets.

Buying Fresh Cut Flowers For A Turquois Vase With Intricate Floral Details.

Of Skipping Around Tiny Cobblestone Streets To Find Small Shops & A Flirty Satin Dress in Dusky Lavendar.


Wearing A Glamourous Watch.

Diamonds.

Dining With Birchbark & Tulips.

An Old Bike Fished From The Canal & Covered In Mussels. What Is It's Story I Wonder?


Waking Up To Sunshine Pouring Through Sexy, Sheer Curtains Drapping My Bed.


Owning My Own Red Satin Shoes. How Intriguing.

Cloudy days on a beautiful beach...

This is Zandvoort, the beachside city on the North Sea in Holland.


These are tiny little popup beach houses that line the edge of the beach. They were actually quite nice and, I can imagine, quite cheap.
Elia is very very fond of his "laufrrad" (baby bike) and at this moment he didnt have it. He could literally survive on his own if he had just himself and his laufrrad. I saw this discussion with this little girl and had to take a picture because of the looks she was giving him. Apparently, she really loves her own kiddy bike. :) Hands off Elia!

Daniel & Elia digging for tiny crabs!


Check out this super creative and funky way of making a fence! How fun to grab some cheap old, fun colored records, tapes, cds, whatever, and to make a gate/fence! Not my style but these people get an A+ for being so original and bold!

A Roadtrip to Hoofddorp

Last Wednesday we left for the flat in Hoofddorp, Holland. It was a 4.5 hour drive straight west from our home here. I almost couldn't believe we all managed to survive in the Mercedes Vito with three small kids, four adults, a "laufrad" (small kids bike), a scooter, appropriate luggage, and two mattresses. Woah. I made the kids some lunch from sandwiches of fresh homemade hummus, vollkorn (whole wheat) bread and sprouts, and a few pieces of fruit. This bought us some time when things got a little uncomfortable. And, when those ran out, we were lucky Cords computer had a decent battery and the kids could watch this German childrens cartoon Tomte Tummetott - a Gnome.
The foyer of the apartment in Holland.

After you walk in there is a small bathroom to your right in the hallway. It is the only toilet in the apartment. Not the only bathroom. There is another bathroom upstairs but this one is only for showering. Look how little this sink is. In case you cannot tell is is not any deeper than from your wrist to the tip of your middle finger.

Once you walk through the hallway you come to the spiral staircase (Daniel loved this as he has always told me he wants one in our house someday) on your right and another door leading to the kitchen/living room space on your left.

This was a really nice kitchen with beautiful stone countertops and a gas range. I loved cooking in it.

More of the livingroom and a view of the balcony.
A nice fireplace and tv for roudy-kid entertainment.
Once you are upstairs there were three bedrooms, all quite large, and a bathroom. This is our view of the neighbors gardens below us.
Our view from our bedroom window. Looking left...
looking center...
looking right. In the far corner is part of the small canal that runs along the apartments and directly behind us is a long path for sports activities or a quick walk to the local bus station.

After going up the spiral staircase...

Directly accross the stairs is the main bathroom with the shower, and washer/dryer units.

Most of the buildings in Haarlem/Hoofddorp/Amsterdam have this style of achitecture. It is so beautiful.


Lots of greenery.


Beautiful architecture. Great balconies.
A small street on our way to Zandvoort - the seaside city on the North Sea.