Highlights of Japan – snow monkeys, cherry blossoms, gardens and Buddhist cemeteries
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Keukenhof – from kitchen garden to Garden of Europe
Spring has sprung in the Netherlands and the tulip fields are blooming! Despite my many trips to the Netherlands before moving here, I had never actually seen the tulips fields in bloom. So I recently took the opportunity to visit the Keukenhof to enjoy the tulips up close. It’s worth noting that the Keukenhof is only open two months of the year – this year the dates are March 22 to May 20.
Window Seats for Everyone
A recent visit to a friend’s home has got me thinking about window seats. Her beautifully decorated living room features a lovely window seat. Window seats always bring up fond memories of an apartment I lived in – I rented it mostly based on the beautiful window seats. It had poor insulation and no heating in one of the bathrooms and the kitchen was missing a dishwasher, but those gorgeous window seats drew me in and I was a goner. A combination of charming and practical – extra seating on top, extra storage underneath. Endless opportunities to dress them up or down with pillows and cushions. Another use for my ever-growing collection of fabrics. Here are a few that have caught my eye recently – there’s something here for everyone: simple, elaborate, Grecian, Scandi, adults, children, and yes, even our furry family members!
The black hole that is Pinterest or A Useful Tool for Everyone!
A lot of you are probably already familiar with Pinterest. If not, then consider this fair warning: as soon as you try it, you are hooked. Black hole, time warp, whatever you want to call it – it’s far too easy to lose yourself for hours pinning favorite images. I think it’s a fantastic tool for those interested in design in particular, but also for those who are planning parties, collecting recipes, looking for fashion ideas and more. Here are a few of my boards as examples.
Etat de Louisiane – Old Try
“We could even go to Paris for lunch…”
I had a couple of friends from the States visiting me in Amsterdam and they inquired about what day trips were possible. I was only half-joking when I said “So many options – we could even go to Paris for lunch!” It’s one of those things that you find remarkable when you are from a large country like the U.S. where you can travel three hours without even crossing a state line. The idea of going to Paris for a single meal proved too tempting and so instead of just marveling at the possibility, we actually did it.
Carnival in Maastricht – Happy Mardi Gras!
Today’s the day – Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the last day of the Carnival season!
We headed down to Maastricht on the weekend to check out their Carnival scene. I was really interested to see how it compares to the Mardi Gras celebrations back home. Very different, and yet lots of things in common.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Chilled bottle of champagne, red tulips in homage to my new home, and my Valentine’s favorite freshly baked almond poppy seed cupcakes.
Back from the Swamps of Louisiana
One more post abut my trip to the States! After I left NYC, I headed south, or to the South, with a capital S. The sniffles and cold that followed me from Amsterdam to London to New York disappeared when I stepped off the plane into 75 degrees and sunny. I love Louisiana in the wintertime. It’s sort of like Northern Europe in the summer! Eating outdoors and wearing ballet flats and going without a coat for the first time in months. And it’s Carnival season, so I got a kick out of seeing everyone’s Mardi Gras decorations.
Liebster Blog Award
I am the lucky recipient of a Liebster Blog Award, chosen by someone who writes a blog I much admire, Carousel. That the ever-stylish Chi was the one who chose me for this makes it even more special 
Thank you, Chi! And wow, I’m in good company judging by the fabulous blogs of my fellow award recipients.