Day 309: Italian Cooking Class

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What I love the most about Holland are my friends!! Today Jane scheduled a cooking class for a group of us. We met at another mom’s house from our children’s school who offers an all day cooking class with wine and dessert included. We had so much fun chatting and watching and working and learning and eating and drinking! The host did all the shopping and pre- prep work, and even did all the dishes! We got to enjoy her Italian accent and learn by watching her work and prepare each part of the several dishes we shared.

She had a recipe booklet printed and a work area set up for each of us. We loved all being together and learning something new. It made me think of my Italian grandmother and how she loved to be in the kitchen and feeding all of her family. I miss her so much!

Here are the pictures from our hands on learning lessons making homemade pasta, pizza dough, canellini, and Italian meringue. We had so much fun. Thank you to Deborah for sharing your Italian cooking skills with us.

Making a well in the flower and mixing the eggs inside the well and cutting in the flour to make the pasta dough. You have to work really hard to get the right consistency. We used the dough to make the canelloni.

We also made the ragout and spinach and bechamel sauce, as well as pizza dough and meringues! Boy were we lucky!

Waiting for the dough to rise.

Assembling the pizza

Key ingredients

Working the pasta machine, which is so much easier than rolling by hand!

Making homemade pasta on this cool contraption!

Love it!

Making the meringue.

Manga!! Salud!!

29May2013

Day 308: Wanderlust Wednesday – Free Concert and Negen Straatjes and Rain

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Can I just tell you that it’s raining buckets full of rain today? Thank God we got out and celebrated the sun yesterday because today is the polar opposite. Flooding and thunderstorms and rain galore!

On Wednesdays in Amsterdam, they offer a free lunch time concert at Het Concert Gebouw, the musical hall right across the way from the Rijksmuseum. You have to line up an hour or so before the show to get a seat, but it is well worth it. I love the feel of being in a theater. It feels so elegant and grown-up! Today, two brothers performed three pieces on the piano together. It was so amazing to watch their passion and talent and joy, not to mention their hands, and to hear the beautiful music they created together. I loved it!

Waiting in line for the concert doors to open.

Inside the intimate mini-hall. No photos were allowed during the performance.

Beautiful chandeliers and architectural details.

After the concert, Jeff and I had a quiet lunch at the theater restaurant. The atmosphere there was really nice with the large windows looking towards the street and high vaulted ceilings. Lunch was very good too… Toasted sandwiches with cheese and chicken and chutney, and one with goat cheese and aubergines, with side salads. I tried a vanilla chai latte for the first time…very tasty!

I stil had some time left before I had to pick up the kids from school. I took the tram up to the Dam square and wandered over to explore the Negen Straatjes, also known as the nine little streets. The stores and restaurants in this neighborhood are very quaint, kind of Anthropologie like. Here is what I saw while I was wandering:

Cool lighting store.

I left my favorite polka dotted umbrella behind somewhere today! I thought it was in my bag but I mistakenly was squeezing my water bottle and not my umbrella. I hope it finds a good home, although I got soaked walking home from the tram. It’s been pouring ever since! I’m done with this crazy weather and think I’m heading back to California as soon as possible!

Real rain filter.

Before I go for the day, I want to wish a Happy Birthday, to my sweet friend Michele today! I miss our hikes and chats and can’t wait to celebrate with you soon!

And happy birthday to my cousin Laurie! You always make me laugh and are such a fun person to be around. I love and miss you!

Life is good…live it up while you can! xo

27May2013

Day 306: Sunny Day

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It was sunny today, finally, all day. Do you know that in California it is sunny 300 days out of the year on average? And now I take the time to comment and write about the weather more than I wish I did. It makes me feel like I’m getting old, talking about the weather, aches and pains, and talking over my husband and finishing each other’s stories. Do you do that too?

The sunshine and light make me incredibly happy and I was torn going into the Rijksmuseum with Julie when it was so gorgeous out. It felt like a shame to be indoors when we should be outside. But we enjoyed the moment, nevertheless, with the crowds! My favorite discovery today was the library in the museum. I always wanted to be a librarian and could spend hours in a library or bookstore. I loved the spiral staircases, walls of books, the old smells of paper and leather, and two patrons or workers with their laptops. I loved the old and the new.

Afterwards, we walked from the Rijksmuseum to Albert Cuyp market and enjoyed strolling the street in the sunshine. It finally felt good again and I got my dose of Vitamin D.

We took the 14 tram to Westermarkt
where I left Julie to visit the Anne Frank house and to finish exploring the city, while I went back home for a doctor’s appointment. Good news! I’m going to live – results were negative and I felt relief!!

Life is good.

Happy Memorial Day! We are missing being in the states and BBQing and swimming today. Hope you all raise the flag and raise a glass to this wonderful freedom we all get to enjoy.

Namaste.

26May2013

Day 305: A Friend From Home

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There is something really awesome about having a friend from home come to town for a visit. Julie arrived this morning and is spending the night. She brought treats for the kids – bubble gum, Jolly Ranchers and Goldfish crackers, that made them so happy. I was happy to hear her laugh and to listen to her stories about her kids and work and family. There is a comfort in having this reconnection again and it makes me excited to be able to play tennis again and share our stories as we enter the next chapter of high school with our kids. Julie and I have been friends since our boys were in preschool and she was one of my role models in deciding to have a third child. I’ve always admired her and am so glad she chose to come see us as part of her work trip to London.

She endured the children’s spring fair with me at their school, and meeting some of my local friends before we headed up to Amsterdam for dinner.

We dropped the kids off at home and took the tram into the city. The sun was shining later in the day, so it was actually nice to be walking around the canals together.

This last picture was taken at 9pm at the Westerkerk by the Anne Frank House. So gorgeous out tonight. We enjoyed a nice, quiet Thai dinner before heading back home on the bus.

Life is good. Happy Memorial Day, Veterans!!

25May2013

Day 304: Family Day in Schijndel

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Family – I’m thankful that there are people that love us and invite us to be together to share meals and conversation and company. The simplicity of just being and relaxing and talking and sharing food and drink together is pretty amazing. Do you ever think about that? I usually take it for granted, but today I really felt grateful for my Dutch family.

We spent the day in Schijndel with Gerard and Anita and their girls. We got there around 11:15 and had coffee and dessert. Soon after we had a nice lunch with hot baked rolls, cheeses and meats, and some even had Hagel slag on rolls. After lunch, Gerard took us to just over the border to Belgium to a Trappist abbey where they make beer. Jeff was in heaven! I was happy because the sun peeked out a few times.

From there we drove into Eindhoven as we had never been there before. We happened upon the Daf truck museum and spent a bit of time walking around there, exploring this popular Dutch company’s history. Charlie was thrilled!

We walked around the city center for a bit before heading back for dinner.

After dinner, Gerard took Char and Juliana to Rio’s dairy farm for a quick visit, at Charlie’s request. He wanted to see the cows, ride the tractor and play on the go-cart. What a lucky kid!! Watching Gerard play with and entertain Charlie made me think of my dad and how he and Charlie always play together. I am thankful for their special relationships.

And then to finish off the evening, more family came to join the fun. Franca and Henk and their daughter came, followed by Opa Tijn, and then Rio and Helma with their kids. The kids played soccer outside together and we sat around drinking and eating again!

Life is so good. I am thankful tonight for Gerard and Anita for being so generous and opening up their home to all of us, and to Gerard for showing us around, and for the rest of the family for just being family.

I love you all!! xo

24May2013

Day 303: Babies

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I don’t know if you can see the baby ducklings in this picture with my baby duckling.

They were so cute! I love how they stay close to their mama. Juliana and I were admiring the baby sheep in Ouderkerk today as we ran an errand together. We were in the car and I couldn’t get a good picture.

I want to keep my babies close to me, like this mama. My big baby is going to high school this year! That’s so hard to believe. I love my babies so much!!

23May2013

Day 302: Slow Gear

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Don’t forget to slow down some times… It’s a beautiful thing! So much joy was found today in the quiet spaces, and I wish the same for you.

Planning a move takes lots of planning and coordination on several fronts. Jeff and I had some quiet, uninterrupted conversation after the kids went to school today. We had time to ponder and reflect and think out some of the details as we watched the weather patterns change every 10 minutes…rain, clouds, sun, hail, and back again. I was expecting to go for a run, but just wasn’t up for it and enjoyed the change in plans.

The only thing I really planned today was some social medicine – a lunch with my girlfriends because I needed a fix, and they’re the best medicine! I took the tram up to Amsterdam and had an hour to shop on the Leidseplein before meeting up with the ladies. I enjoyed just wandering, shopping and people watching. We met for lunch at Greenwoods on the Keizesgracht for a healthy,cozy lunch. This made my day!

At this moment it was sunny and while we were eating, it was raining… So weird, right?

When I picked the kids up from school, we didn’t have any after school activities and there was no rush to get things done. It felt nice to have an open schedule. My dad called and we were able to FaceTime and Skype with my parents. I loved not being in a rush and was thankful for the gift of time. We miss them so much and it was great to laugh and see each other, making plans for when we’re back home again. My niece and sister also called this afternoon and we all got to chat for awhile too. A 9 hour time difference usually prevents us from long conversations and time to reconnect when we aren’t busy, but today just flowed because there was space and time for it… No stress…see how that works? I’m planning more days like this.

The kids and I were going to bake together today (their choice of something fun to do together) but as I chatted, they got busy and baked by themselves. I’ve baked with them since they were babies. It’s so nice that they are old enough to do it on their own with just me near by… I like how independent they are becoming. But I did and do miss baking with them, even though they were perfectly content.

We had a chaotic family dinner when Jeff came home, for no real reason at all. Some days the conversation just goes awry. We quickly changed gears and cleaned up, declaring quiet time early tonight. The gift that came from the quiet space earlier in the evening was a long snuggle and reading time with Charlie in our bed, time for drawing for Christian and painting nails for Juliana. I want more quiet time like today, with less stress. Downshifting into a slower gear…

I am content, and going to bed early tonight, just like P.

Namaste.

22May2013

Day 301: More than Enough

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You know how I sometimes say, “I wish you enough”? To me, that could mean enough:

Love

Food

Attention

Happiness

Joy

Peace

Friends

Knowledge

Strength

Clothing/Shoes/Flowers/Stuff

And tonight, I include travel.

I am learning the hard way. I had enough, more than enough and I am burned out.

I am exhausted.

I am tired.

I had too much, more than enough and I need a break. Kinda like eating too much chocolate and then feeling bloated, but still wanting one more taste. I don’t want to stop traveling and playing, but I need to.

I would not recommend booking every weekend full for two months at a time, like we have, with three kids in tow. Not an expat best practice. And my kids are not happy with me. They just want to chill and hangout and see their friends. I get it. I can learn from them too.

It’s hard to admit that when I feel invincible and want to do it all and see it all before we move and I feel like we have to do it all right now. I don’t like to slow down and I don’t like to admit it when I’m not feeling well. I also don’t like to say no or change plans once we make commitments.

I’m not trying to complain, I’m just being honest. My body is not liking me right now and I’m listening (I think). My kids are tired too and I think we’ve all had more than enough. Yikes.

So I am practicing saying no and changing plans, and I’m learning to adapt in other ways that make me uncomfortable.

I wish you enough and the courage to know and say when enough is enough.

Namaste.

21May2013

Day 300: House Sweet House

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It’s nice to have a place to come back to, after a whirlwind vacation, but we still don’t feel like we’re home. I am thinking it’s the Ikea bed. I don’t look forward to falling into my bed because its not very comfortable and is very hot. I am happy to be out of the car and off the road. So as Juliana said, “it’s nice to be house'”

I think since we’re moving home to Sunnyvale soon, this feels more like an intermediary place and less like home than it might have if we had decided to stay longer than a year. Since we know we are moving, we already feel a bit more detached,and we don’t feel as rooted here anymore…we are kind of in Limboland.

For example, at the dinner table tonight, we talked about where we want to go first when when we get back home. The kids thought in terms of restaurants and I thought of people and places I wanted to see. The kids want to go to The Habit, Jocko’s, and Taqueria Latina. I want to go to April’s house and sit at her counter, and to my mom’s house and to the beach. Those places feel like home to me besides our own home. Our home feels like home because that’s where the kids did so many firsts. There are so many memories there that make me long for this place, even though home should be wherever we are. We’ve created so many memories together here, but home is still there… For all of us. I wonder where home is for kids who do this expat living thing for longer than 3 years. I bet it becomes confusing in a sense, and liberating in another.

Today we are back in the Netherlands – 300 days after moving away from home. That’s a long time to me!

We explored Reims, France today and drove through France, Belgium and Holland to get back here. It rained the entire day again. I’m looking forward to relaxing and catching up with everything tomorrow. Hope you had a good day!

Namaste.

Here are a few pictures from Reims, France.

21May2013

Day 299: Mont Saint-Michel, Chartes and Dinner at EuroDisney

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Keeping with the theme of traveling the hard way, the rain hasn’t stopped all day! Wind and rain and cold…so lucky!

We took a shuttle bus from our hotel to Mont Saint-Michel. It looks like an island in the middle of nowhere. We took a tour of the old abbey and enjoyed the spectacular views. It’s amazing that this building has been here forever!

After MSM, we started heading toward Reims and stopped to see Chartes. We arrived on a holy pilgrimage day and the church was packed inside and out with people who must have hiked from all over the place. They looked cold and wet and thankful to be receiving communion together. We waited to go inside the church because there was no room at the inn, so to speak. What an amazing building with so much history. It’s amazing how people built such large churches with so many ornate details and carvings and stained glass, so long ago. Truly amazing to see.

We were freezing cold and starving. Everything was closed because of the holiday and we found a Subway to curb our appetite. Then we headed out for another couple hours in the car with pouring rain, and lots of traffic!

Our timing is so off and the kids are pretty good for having no schedule whatsoever. We’ve had our share of giddiness and frustrations with so much togetherness mixed with hunger and being tired, but we’re still smiling and doing our best. We were driving through the outskirts of Paris and really needed to eat a real meal. As we were driving, we unexpectedly saw signs for EuroDisney and decided to take a detour and find a fun place to eat at Disney Village. It was still pouring rain, which helped us to not be wishing we were spending the night at Disneyland and playing in the park. I can’t imagine that to be much fun, but we did find some fun at the Rainforest Cafe. Such a cheesy place with bad, expensive food, but definitely entertaining for just once! I was happy to get us all out of the car and walking around someplace lively for a bit.

We should arrive at our hotel after midnight… the kids are happy, mama’s happy, Jeff’s got a Starbucks, so he’s happy and we’ll sleep when we’re dead…another one of my weird mottos.

Goodnight, from Disneyland Paris.