Not only are there rain storms happening outside my window right now, but there are winds howling and reaching up to 30 miles an hour. And there's this lovely garden next to my house situated between my house and another two story and it creates the perfect wind tunnel...perfect for rattling windows, and keeping me awake all night. Even when it wasn't raining, venturing outside was a risk because it was actually difficult at times to push the stroller. And then when Fien was walking the wind ALMOST KNOCKED HER OVER. I kid you not.
So instead we had a wonderful day indoors.
Since we were going to be stuck inside all day, first we needed a headquarters. A place to go to make plans for the day. Hence...
The Fort
P.S. No boys allowed.
P.P.S. Papa doesn't count.
Fien really liked it...
Then we needed food. And since being inside sucks all the energy out of you, what could be better than...
OVEN S'MORES!
And no...they've never had them before. And yes...they were delicious. And no...you do not get cavities just by looking at them. And yes...those were pink marshmallows. MMMMMM
Of course, eventually we had to take the tent down. That was a sad time...
But I made it up by reading one of my favorite books which has now become Fien's favorite and also the only one she chooses for me to read (because it's the only one she currently owns in English)...
Today the weather took one gigantic step backwards.
Today was cold
Today was wet.
Today was blustery.
Today was depressing.
Today was not a day for going to the beach.
Today Fien and I flew a kite!
I think this might be one of my favorite pictures ever, even without the effects...
Ok maybe the showers themselves don't bring hot chocolate. Here in Holland the showers most definitely bring May flowers...lots and lots of them. I'm sure there will be many a post about this.
But today, when it was a little overcast, a little cold, and a slight mist hung in the air, I decided the perfect cure for this would be some homemade hot chocolate...since they don't have instant mix here.
Libby's Recipe:
2 spoonfuls of cocoa
1 spoonful sugar
2 packets liquid coffee creamer
Stir to make a paste
Add heated and frothed milk
Serve with whip cream and lots of napkins!
(Cut recipe in half for a two year old's cup)
Easy no?
I always drink my hot beverages with a spoon...force of habit. Which means that of course Fien has to as well...
Let's just say that Fien really (really) enjoyed it...
And here's a little video for you to enjoy. Sorry it's sideways. Mags taught Fien the word crazy and I taught her sneaky. Now, I always call Fien crazy and her response is (in Dutch) "No I'm sneaky, you're crazy." Except this time...
As of two weeks ago, the calendar declared it’s officially the season of spring. As of one week ago, the city council declared it’s officially tourist season in Noordwijk. And as of yesterday, I have declared that it is officially sandal weather!!!
Now many of you have read about my love (that quickly turned to hate) with snow. What can I say? I’m a California gal (And don’t you wish they all could be…) Living in southern California for the last five years has skewed my perception of “winter.” When I was in school, there was maybe about two months that I didn’t wear sandals. But as soon as the 52ยบ frost wore off, the cheap target brand ones were brought (more accurately, bought) out never to be taken off again (save for a cute pair of heels, or sneakers that “just made the outfit.”) But since I’ve been in Holland, I have yet to wear them.
But no more! Here is what I’ve noticed about flip flops…
-They’re an excuse for a pedicure with fun nail polish colors.
-They go with everything (in the case of the heels or sneakers that are sometimes obligatory, the sandals would still work, just fyi)
-I like the “flop” sound they make
-You’re more relaxed and ready to heal the world when you wear them…it’s true
-I get to build up my Bigtoe/Indextoe calluses that have worn off from lack of irritation.
-Your feet never stink from sock sweat
-What you lack in stench, you make up for in dirt (of which I wash often don’t worry)
-They are one of the only types of shoes that you can literally “slip on.” Even slip-ons sometimes require handling.
-When you spice up the name, they rhyme really well with “you at Kinko’s straight flippin’ copies”
So grab your favorite pair, and let me see those thongs…
I recently visited your country on a trip through central Europe. I was blown away by the beauty of your mountains and cities…
Especially Davos, where I had decided to stay…
I was so excited to visit you and hit the slopes. In fact, you were the one thing I could hold above my brother as he spent every weekend snowboarding on his new board last winter.
But my trip has been tainted…and I’d like to tell you how…
Alps: HOW DARE YOU! Why would you have uphill sections on downhill slopes? Must you make it difficult for someone who has not learned how to go fast enough to get up these hills so that she is forced to unstrap her board, carry it up the hill, and attempt to fasten it once again, after having reached the top? And HOW DARE YOU be real mountains with real snow, not man made. Do you know what that makes for? Patches of snow where your board gets buried up to your knees and you have to dig to get it out. And HOW DARE YOU not have such things as bunny slopes. Ever. I get it, you’re big tall mountains. Surely somewhere on you there has to be an easy slope for beginners.
Swiss Boarders and Skiers: HOW DARE YOU! Yes I know I am not as good as you. Yes I know I could probably use a couple more lessons. But some of us were not born with a board strapped to our feet. And only having been two other times makes it difficult to maneuver. Should you need more clarification, see the letter above to the mountains themselves.
Four year olds: HOW DARE YOU embarrass me by being so much better than I am and then pouring salt on the wound by spraying me with snow as you wiz past.
Red snow pants: how dare you be too big that you 1. Are so incredibly unflattering that you me look like I have a balloon butt, and 2. Allow so much snow in, I wonder why I even bothered wearing long underwear.
Swiss Economy: HOW DARE YOU think that just because you are doing way better than the majority of the world, you can get off by charging the equivalent of $10 for a cup of coffee. Or $10 for a bottle of water (and not having tap available). But then you only charge $7 for a mug of beer. You realize that leads to me drinking just because I’m trying to save money?
Swiss Chocolate: HOW DARE YOU be SOO expensive (see above economy grievances). You cost more in your native country than you do imported in the states. Even your bargain chocolate is more than I’d pay. But more importantly, HOW DARE YOU be so delicious that I have to buy you anyway…
Swiss TV: HOW DARE YOU dub everything you show on TV. Due to your Arian German, “I Know What You did Last Summer” is no longer scary, Apu is no longer hilariously stereotypical, and no matter how hard you try, Ice Cube is not and will never be ghetto.
Sleds: HOW DARE YOU be so fun that despite the moments of actually thinking I’m going to die, witnessing people crash, and crashing myself, I continue to ride down three miles of track over and over again…
Christmas Vacation: How dare you make this…
Look like a joke. It is no joke. When you take some wood, screw some medal on the bottom, it’s true that your only hope of stopping is to crash into someone or something. When you witness someone break his nose after flying over a hill, there must be some truth to it.
Butt, Shins, Knees, Quads, and Shoulders: HOW DARE YOU hurt so incredibly much. I’m now going to lie in bed all day unable to move thanks to a jacked up knee, sore muscles, and an entire shin that is black and blue.
Alright, despite the above-mentioned complaints, I would like to say that I had an absolute blast visiting you. And though it will be a while (and a couple thousand dollars later) that we meet again, I look forward to it. I hope you have considered my suggestions, and will make some changes accordingly. Also, if you’d like to send me some free chocolate as reimbursement, I would not be offended.
Thank you, and sincerely (and sorely) yours,
Libby
Word of the Day: beschwerde - complaint (Swiss German)
I’m going to Berlin, where I will celebrate the last Carneval weekend, then Prague where I will celebrate Fat Tuesday, then Vienna, where I’m going to see La Traviata, and finally Davos for some snowboarding in the Swiss Alps. Ok I know, it’s exciting for me, but come on admit it, you’re so excited for me…plus jealous. Because it’s going to be awesome!!
But that’s all to come…so clearly I don’t have much to say about it yet. This week’s been rather hectic with the planning, and the working, and the packing, and all that. But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a fun week so I thought I’d share with you some fun things…
So…Here is Fien…
Modeling the new scarf my Grammy made her…
Attempting to put my newly knitted hat on me…
Making me into Mr. Hat Head a la Jude Law…
Enjoying her new gift with me (Thanks Grammy!)…
And here is Fien…
Trying on my hat…
Trying on my shoes…
Attempting to walk in my shoes
And then in the kitchen…here is Fien...
Celebrating our creation of banana bread…
Thankfully staying away from any and all cooking…
Making our next shopping list…
Time to go outside! Here is Fien…
Not enjoying being bundled up…
Taking advantage of the warming weather…
Ok, now I’m off to bed…not that I really need sleep since I’ve got six hours on a train tomorrow to kill. But I still gotta get up. I’m sure I’ll have internet occasionally, so check for updates, but I can’t promise daily ones.
