by Krista | Jul 29, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
In fall and winter Amsterdam can often seem like a drab city with its dark grey skies, row upon row of dull brick buildings, and canals that mirror the bleakness of the clouds.
But in the summer, even with no backyards or front lawns to landscape, the Dutch manage to create colorful bits of beauty out of the tiniest of spaces.
Like this gorgeous rambling rose bush planted in a teensy square of dirt less than one foot square.
Or these hollyhocks, ferns and vines planted in a sliver of space only a few inches wide.
I love those perky pink geraniums set on the windowsill and those lush vines clambering everywhere.
And this is one of my favorites, my upstairs view of our downstairs neighbors balcony. Such a gorgeous spot to sit and have morning coffee while looking out over the canals.
Today my brother got the last of his plants delivered and this weekend we get to all pitch in and make the rooftop terrace a stunning oasis. I promise to share pictures with you next week. 🙂
Wishing you a fabulous weekend, dear ones!
xo
by Krista | Jul 28, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
After weeks of pouring rain and cold days, this morning we woke to blazing sunshine and heat so intense we had to throw off blankets and put our hair up. Yay!!! We’re pretty darn excited. 🙂
Today I’m tucked away in my room whilst painters work until late into the night finishing up the last of the paint jobs. It looks like a bio-hazard scene in here with everything draped in sheets of plastic and men dressed all in white wandering about. 🙂
Here are a few more shots from the wonderful canal boat ride we took the other day through Broek in Waterland. Many of the cottages you see were the vacation homes of Amsterdam’s upper class during the 17th century. They remain vacation homes to this day since it’s too wet to live here year round.
This was one of my favorite places. I was captivated by those dazzling red shutters and the wild, overgrown garden.
A peaceful section of the canal, still and quiet on a stormy afternoon.
This cracked me up! What a splendid place for a driveway. We had to duck down to get under it. 🙂
I just love the profusion of cheery nasturtiums along that old wooden fence and the bright orange boat. Rainy days could never get you down puttering in a boat that color.
Tomorrow I’ll show you some of the gorgeous and wild countryside we saw as we meandered through a nature preserve just as the storm broke.
What would be your favorite type of vacation home?
by Krista | Jul 27, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Hi luvs! My brother’s house is full of workmen installing electrics, laying carpet, and painting nearly every wall and ceiling in sight.
They’re a lovely bunch of Turkish, Moroccan and Polish chaps doing a splendid job, but while they’re here we are banished to the rooftop terrace, far away from internet connections, laptops, and whatnot. So if I disappear for a few days, never fear, all is well. 🙂
Now it’s after 1 a.m. and I’m tuckered out so I shall leave you with the prettiest doctor’s office entrance I’ve ever seen. It makes my numerous trips there most delightful. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
by Krista | Jul 26, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
This weekend we braved wind and rain to go adventuring outside Amsterdam. We filled the car with sweaters, coats and snacks and drove out to Broek in Waterland.
It is a marvelous place – quite possibly the best adventure I’ve ever had in the Netherlands.
It consists of 6-7 hours worth of canals meandering through 17th century villages and nature preserves. Every meter is filled with more visual delights than you can possibly take in.
Since we chose a day with perfectly ghastly weather, we had the place to ourselves – a perk we loved.
There were six of us so we divided up into two whisper quiet electric boats and received simple instructions, detailed maps and a pile of waterproof blankets.
Then we were off!!
Since a rather wicked storm was approaching, we opted for the 2 hour tour which was supposed to get us back before the rains started. It didn’t quite work out that way, but to be honest, we didn’t mind a bit.
I was utterly delighted by this treehouse. Wouldn’t you have loved clambering up there as a kid? Spying on all the folks puttering down the canals?
I like how the canal boats have their own little “garage” they’re kept in on the water.
And one day I would love to stay in a darling cottage just like this.
I can’t wait to show you more pictures of our watery explorations, but now I need to get back to the workmen in the house and attempt our motley communications of mingled Turkish, Dutch and English.
Do you like boating?
by Krista | Jul 25, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
