May 4 in the Netherlands is Remembrance Day. It began right after World War II as a day to remember Dutch soldiers. It now is a day to remember those who have served in any war, conflict or peace making mission. National and local ceremonies are held throughout the country. …
I know, I know… it’s now King’s Day. No hard feelings King Willem, but my first visit to Nederland I was there on April 30, 2012 – Queen’s Day! It was a glorious spring day in Barneveld, after all a Queen wouldn’t dare let it rain on her parade! And …
Birthdays have been on my mind this week, as one of my nieces is turning the big 21 (ok – not so exciting in Nederland since she’s way past the legal drinking age there!). So, back to this important question of where do most people keep birthday reminders. Address books, …
It’s the first day of spring! Here in the Rockies the snow is melting, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming… oh wait I got a little ahead of myself about the birds and flowers! But, did I mention the snow is melting?! 🙂 Instead I’d like …
I’m not sure how…but somehow I’ve survived months of living in the Netherlands without falling down the stairs! From my first visit there 3 years ago, I’ve been commenting (ok… maybe that’s not quite a strong enough word 🙂 ) on the stairs there. Yes, yes I understand it’s a …
So…I start a blog that promises a daily dose (so maybe I bit off a little too much! 🙂 )… but I do have good reason for the month hiatus. My Dutch inspiration FINALLY GOT HIS GREEN CARD!! Yep, you heard that right…after years apart, mounds of paper work, and …
For the past 10 days I’ve been living in true Amsterdammer style – above a “coffee shop”! A couple of years ago that would have seemed so …well… novel, exciting, illegal…like I was really living on the edge! But now…since I live in the “New Amsterdam” (or formerly known as …
I’ve spent quite a few weeks in Nederland, but this is my first visit over the holidays. Get this…besides the Dutch already getting weeks more vacation time than us-I’ve now learned they get TWO Christmas Days! It’s even shown as First Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day on the nightly …
Thank goodness I didn’t grow up in the Netherlands! Can you think of anything worse as a Dutch child than having to share your birthday with the beloved Sinterklaas holiday (and my condolences to all you Christmas birthdays too)?! All the joint gifts…all that specialness packed into one day …
My husband informed me that the Dutch are famous for their roller coaster engineering and design – maybe this is what he means! 😉
