September Picture of the Day~Out My Window

September 22~Out My Window

Always on the wrong side of the window. 

September Picture of the Day~Soft

September 20~Soft

Nothing quite as soft to me than my two boys! 

September Picture of the Day~Written

September 21~Written

A note written by my daughter I have kept in my wallet for years. 

September Picture of the Day~Light

September 19~Light

A lamp I saw in the Champagne region of France made from a Champagne bottle. I'd love one of these! Let there be Light. 

September Picture of the Day~Everyday I

September 18~Everyday I

Pray

September Picture of the Day~Delicious

September 17~delicious

99% of the time I order tomato soup for lunch. It's delicious! #theidearoom

My Little Dutch ABC Book ~ L

My Little Dutch ABC Book

L

Lichtjesroute~ Route of Lights Festival

In 1947 a celebration was held in Eindhoven to remember the liberation of Eindhoven from Nazi Germany. The committee asked neighborhood homeowners to light the route with a light in the window to show the route of the festival. Most people used a candle as supplies were still in short demand. But no matter what, the Dutch people wanted to celebrate and show their appreciation for their freedom. I’ve written two stories which I think need to be read here if you haven’t had the time. It’s stories like these why the Dutch will never forget the men in black that dropped from the sky and came to rescue them during World War II. A grateful nation that will never forget. This year the festival starts today September 17th and will continue thru October 11th.

http://americangirlinholland.blogspot.nl/2012/09/lichjesroute.html

http://americangirlinholland.blogspot.nl/2015/06/stolen-childhood-holocaust-survivor.html

These are just 2 stories of the millions of people murdered during WWII.

Let's make sure we never forget.

My Little Dutch ABC Book~K

My Little Dutch ABC Book

K

Kleding ~ Clothing





What’s a girl to say about kleding but except I’m a fan. It took me a long time after moving to The Netherlands to embrace the clothes they sell here. It’s funny, but when you tell people you live in Europe, people expect everyone here to look like they just stepped off the pages of Vogue.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru0Cp1gyfA4

In reality it’s not the case. People are working hard, pushing through life and biking all over the place.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-AbPav5E5M

I’ve had a few scary encounters with people who look like they been choosing their clothes from the far back section of their closets… like from 20 years ago.

http://americangirlinholland.blogspot.nl/2013/09/fashion-fridaysummmmmm-no.html

But I’ve also seen people really making a change over the last few years as well.

One of my favorite stores right now is a little shop in my village. The owner is fabulous and always invites me to have a cup of tea with her. Just a fabulous way to enjoy shopping and I love getting to know my new Dutch friends.

When in doubt though, just throw in a fabulous scarf! 

Picture of the Day~My Shoes

Picture of the Day

September 15~My Shoes

Taking my shoes to get fixed at a podiatrist. This is her office. Yes, this is what happens when you fall in January and your other foot is just now feeling the effects of the fall!

September word of the Day~I wish for....

September Word of the Day

September14~I wish for... More time with my family. 

Picture of the Day~A Friend

Picture of the Day

September 13~A Friend

Picture of the Day~ A Friend. Having a sad kind of day, cleaning out closets and keeping quiet. I pull from the back a painting from A Friend. My sister Laura painted this for me in January. It's the last thing she gave to me but she'll forever be in my heart. #americagirlinholland #theidearoom #sisters #friends

Picture of the Day~New

Picture of the Day

September 12~New

This new baby Belted Galloway is new to this beautiful world! I like a little milk with my Oreos.

#theidearoom

September PIcture of the Day~Something that starts with the letter B

September 10~Bakfiets

A Bakfiets is a cargo bike. People use this type of bike to haul groceries,deliveries and even children. To me it's endearing to see a mom or dad toting their children in a box that is attached to their bike. I've read before that Dutch children are the happiest in the world. Growing up being this close to mom or dad is a beautiful way to start life. 

Picture of the Day~Hide

Picture of the Day

September 9~Hide

This is the ally in Eindhoven where Maurice's family had to walk in order to get to the next house to hide from the Natzis. How scared they must have been. Here's the link to Maurice's story if you have not read it.   http://americangirlinholland.blogspot.nl/2015/06/stolen-childhood-holocaust-survivor.html

Picture of the Day ~ Bright

Picture of the Day

September 8~Bright

The sun shining brightly through The London Eye

Picture of the Day ~ Path

Picture of the day ~ Path

September 7th~Path

A beautiful path in Normany France. 

Picture of the Day~Circle

Picture of the Day~Circle

September 6~Circle

No post from me about a circle would be complete if I didn't include the world famous Hovenring. This ring is a bike path that is suspended in the air keeping the bikers away from the traffic at the area between Eindhoven, Veldhoven and Meerhoven. The ring of the Hovens. 

I say world famous because when national graphic comes  to town you know people around the world will get a good idea of what life here is like. 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=video+hovenring+eindhoven&FORM=VIRE5#view=detail&mid=8FA1600AD8F849D4C3D98FA16



@theidearoom


00AD8F849D4C3D9

Picture of the Day ~ Empty

Picture of the day

September 5 ~ Empty

Empty but only after being full of my chili. Rainy days and chili is a great combination. @theidearoom

My Little Dutch ABC Book ~ J

My Little Dutch ABC Book

J

Jumbo ~ pronounced Yumbo

I thought for today's letter I would pull a post from the past. Sounds eerie but actually it's fabulous. Enjoy my favorite J word here in The Netherlands....

http://americangirlinholland.blogspot.nl/2013/05/my-waltz-with-waffle-man.html

My Little Dutch ABC Book ~ I

My Little Dutch ABC Book ~ I

Ijs~ ice

Ijsje~ ice cream 

Sounds about the same but taste so much better especially my favorite stratchella.

Picture of the Day September 4

September 4 ~ Exercise

The boys having fun running in the forest! Exercise! 

September Picture of the Day ~ Up

Picture of the Day

September 3 ~ Up

Looking up at the Sistine Chapel this summer. @theidearoom

September 2 Picture of the Day Hard Work

September 2 ~ Hard Work

My daughter's mother in law, Peggy, made this for me. It sits on my bed in The Netherlands. Truly beautiful and a lot of hard work! To me the X's look like windmills. Thank you again Peggy!!  @theidearoom

September picture a day Inspire

Ok I'm going to try this challenge. Sometimes life gets in the way and we all get busy. I saw this post on The Idea Room about posting a picture a day during the month of September. We'll see how it goes. I'll try to write the date and the word for the day challenge.

September 1 ~ Inspire

Working in the Netherlands. Getting outside and doing things from a time gone by. Very inspiring. @theidearoom

My Little Dutch ABC Book H

My Little Dutch ABC Book

H

Huisarts ~ Family Doctor



When I first arrived in The Netherlands, I quickly discovered the process of seeing the doctor as I was already on some medications and needed them to be monitored. I was told where to register at my neighborhood medical office. No we did not get to choose from all over the city. Everyone in my neighborhood went to the same one, but within the medical office there were about 4-5 doctors to choose from.



As I entered the office I went into a large waiting area that I noticed was full of many people chatting (because they’re all neighbors!). A lovely coat rack was full of rain coats as it was raining that morning. This is pretty standard at most areas like restaurants and offices. I opted to hold onto mine as I have a fear of lice or someone walking off with the wrong coat (mine).



The young assistant came out and called my name and I followed her to a room. To my surprise the young assistant was to be my doctor. When I say young, I mean early 20’s, just starting her learning to become a doctor. I asked politely if there was another doctor and she said yes, of course. Sorry but I have grown up adult medical needs and wanted someone a little older than Doogie to be tending to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrERtikdPus

It all worked out fine but I will say after I moved to my new home in my new little village I feel much more at ease. My doctors know me well. And one of the greatest joys I have is to be out and see my doctor biking with his dog waving a hearty hello to me. Yes, he knows me and I know him. The perfect way to make me feel comfortable.