Merry Little Monschau

Merry Little Monschau

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I made a promise to myself. Slow down and just enjoy the moment. Sometime it’s hard to get into the swing of a holiday unless you are near your family and home land.

 I LOVE Christmas… the whole Christmas season. I usually start enjoying Christmas music around the first of October and start decorating my home before the American Thanksgiving. But this year.. I held on to fall a bit longer. The Netherlands has experienced an exceptional summer and fall with glorious days filled with sun. So as December barreled through I was a tad slow to pull out my Christmas decorations. I usually only purchase a few gifts from Europe as it’s a tad difficult to carry them in my luggage when we head for the States.

 But I do make it a point to get to at least one European Christmas market a year. A lot of the home improvement type stores usually go all out and make their store into a small market. But to truly enjoy the season, you really need to get into the towns that are set up for some really good fun shopping.

A few of my American friends and I decided to go to Monschau, Germany to have a girls Christmas Market weekend. Thanks to the great planning of our friend Kelly, we arrived early on Friday and planned to leave on Sunday. We missed the crowed traffic coming in and leaving. It was perfect.

Monschau is this amazing little village that is set into the rolling hills of Germany. It’s picture perfect, still looking as it did hundreds of years ago. What could be more perfect than spending the weekend with fabulous friends shopping, drinking gluhwein, laughing and dining at delicious German restaurants.

The cobblestoned streets are narrow and were filled with merry shoppers all enjoying the beautiful market. Market stalls and shops filled with ornaments, Christmas trees, candy, sausages, cheese, little Christmas trinkets, Nutcrackers, German Smokers and so many delights I’m sure to a child it’s just a dream come true. I know my heart was full of joy.

Our weekend was amazing and we knew we were blessed beyond words. Six American Girls who met across a great pond but still enjoy the same humor and understanding and were able to celebrate friendship in picture perfect Monschau. 

Kelly, Linda, Me, Jennifer, Hope and Megan

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Papa Please Preach ~ My Trip to Rome

Papa Please Preach ~ My Trip to Rome

After a month of computer glitches and fixes…I’m finally able to share about a little trip to Italy we took this fall.

I was not raised Catholic but became Catholic after getting married. It was a personal choice for me. So being able to see Rome was such a joy!

One of the great things about being an expat is meeting other people in your same situation. It’s the best way to find out where to go, where to get off the beaten path, which museums to go to and how to avoid the long lines.  And they are usually full of ideas on how to do as inexpensive as possible.

Here are some things I learned and enjoyed about Roma~

-There’s a reason there’s a shortage of Priests in the world…. They’re all in Rome. I would say the old saying… “You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a”… Priest or Nun, but that doesn’t sound very nice… so I’ll just say there are a lot in Rome.

-God is everywhere. What if God was one of us? What would you say?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gx1Pv02w3Q

- If you are a single, Swiss, Catholic, high school educated, Swiss military trained male over the height of 5’8” and between the ages of 19-30 you have a chance to become a Papal Swiss Guard.

- Vatican City is its own state within the city of Rome. Day or night this vibrant area lives and breathes the beauty of God.

The Vatican at night

The Sistine Chapel is truly amazing. Guards or workers tell everyone… no pictures and to keep quiet as people look around in awe. It was wall to wall of people staring up. Looking up to the beautiful ceiling painted by Michelangelo? Looking up to God for the plea for a prayer? 

The ceiling in the museum leading toward the Sistine Chapel

Right before you go into the chapel

No pictures? Ok…. Click

-As the saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” But the Roman’s do know how to build to impress!

-Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was on my bucket list.

 People visiting need to visit their website before going because there are do’s and don’ts. You must be dressed appropriately and talking is kept to a minimum. But that’s hard to remember as you enter and everywhere you turn are amazing works of art that look like they belong in a museum. You sometimes just want to share with the person next to you what you are thinking or feeling. We wandered around looking and listening to our walking guide explains to us what each piece was. Then we checked for mass times. We had a few spare minutes so we found the gift store and bought a few memorable pieces for our children. We then gathered behind an area in front of the alter where mass would be held. People were already a few rows deep just look to see what was going on. I stepped up to a man standing at the gate and asked if mass was available to everyone. He said “Yes, but it’s in Italian.” Not a problem I said and we stepped in to find seats. It really wasn’t crowded because I think some didn’t realize they could come in. I’m pretty sure the gate that was about waist high was just there to keep people from milling around during mass.

Mass for me was an unexpected emotional experience. I attend mass every week and have attended mass in most places I’ve traveled to. One of my favorites was in Yellowstone National Park. But as I got down on my knees to pray for my family and anyone I could think of I couldn’t help the tears that spilled from my eyes. And I can say that mass in Italian is beautiful. I only understood a bit but that’s ok. It was a familiar part of my being and I thank God I was able to be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s

-Pope Francis~ I love how there are so many different religions in the world and I respect that everyone has their own way to pray or not if they so choose. For me.. I need prayer. When things go right or wrong in my life or the world around me, it is faith in my God that helps me get through.

With the new day of our Pope Francis I am so ever grateful to a man who answered a call from God to lead his people. To me this humble, kind, caring, loving, charismatic man is just what my heart needs to help me to keep peace in my heart and life.

I didn’t get to see the Pope while visiting Rome, but I know he was there. Seeing isn’t believing. 

Pope Francis.. This American Girl sends thanks, gratitude and prayers to you and the people you pray for. Papa please keep preaching your words of love and kindness. 

Fashion Friday’s Trick or Treat?

Fashion Friday’s

Trick or Treat?

It’s my understanding that the fun spooky night celebration of Halloween is starting to spread in The Netherlands. I know this must be true because I had two adorable Trick or Treaters at my house one day. Dressed adorably and delighted with their treats.

But today is about fashion.. Fashion Friday’s to be exact. And let me tell you.. my friend Sam is always dressed fabulously!

Every year she makes her own costume for Halloween and this year was no exception. Here’s Sam.. this week’s pick for Fashion Friday dressed as a Black Widow Spider caught in her own web.

Funny or Fabulous?

I’d say pretty Freakin Fabulous!!!

The leaves are turning color and there’s a chill in the air

Pumpkins are turning into Jack-O-Lanterns

So children better be aware.

A celebration in the States is starting to spread

People dressed up as funny characters some alive and some dead.

Halloween, the night when children walk the street

Ringing doorbells, laughing and shouting Trick or Treat!

Candies, and goodies fill their bags with such delight

Trading with each other, after a long spooky night.

Happy Halloween and to all a good night!

Mark Time Mark ~My Night with an Old Friend

Mark Time Mark

My Night with an Old Friend

Now that time has passed, I think it’s ok to tell a story about an amazing time I had this summer with a cherished childhood friend.

While paroozing my Facebook newsfeed one day this summer a photo of my friend Mark came up. His wife Inga had tagged him in the photo. But the amazing thing was he was standing along one of the canals in Amsterdam. I quickly clicked the like button and asked if he was in Amsterdam.

Mark and I were introduced to each other at the early age of birth. Our parents were best and dear friends. They had all gone to high school together and along with their friends, were raising their children together in the beautiful little town of Plymouth, Michigan.

As our beloved parents would have dinners together or get together to play Bridge, Mark and I would play. I fondly remember having to play some sort of “boy” game… legos, blocks or building or some sort of chase game. My dollies and tea parties were not invited. But as we grew up we both became interested in music. Being the gifted musician I am (hahha this is totally a joke!), I faked my way through middle school and high school band. Practicing only when forced because of some sort of try out or challenge for a 1^st chair spot that always scared me to death. I was plenty happy hiding in the third row but for some reason had enough God given talent that sent me to the 1^st chair more than I care to remember.

I played Clarinet and Mark played Saxophone. By high school I had my hiding technique pretty well mastered and had discovered, I was there for the love of the friends. Mark was there for the love of his music and his friends. My favorite time was in marching band hearing the sounds of our drum major yelling “Mark Time Mark” that would send us into a magical few minutes of music, precision and designs that told a story of the music.  Mark was in many different bands…. Symphony band, Jazz Band, Marching Band… the list goes on. We were surrounded by wonderful musicians and it was an incredible experience to be a part of. But it became quite apparent that Mark was a truly gifted musician.

My parents have both passed, so as the years went on I had lost connection with Mark. There was no way I was going to let an opportunity like him being in Amsterdam pass without making sure we got to see each other. I had heard that he had headed to New York and was enjoying life as a musician in New York City. As Facebook came along I saw that he was playing in the pit in many Broadway shows. Looked like he was having a fabulous time doing something he not only loved but had such a talent for. As we made plans to meet for lunch I had no idea what he was doing in Amsterdam… just figured he was touring with a show.

My husband and I met Mark and his wife Inga at Hard Rock in Amsterdam. Embracing, catching up on life and chatting the afternoon away … we all were having so much fun that my husband and I invited them back to our home for the night.

 Overnight bags packed quickly we decided we would take the short drive to Belgium for dinner at my favorite abbey in Postel.

Even Amy got in on the fun. Inga is the essence of cool! She works for Saturday Night Live as a hair and wig designer and stylist for cast members and also guests. Inga offered to cut her hair after she heard Amy asking if I would take her to get her hair cut. Haircut by a SNL pro… you bet!

Sometime during the day Mark asked me…. “Is there a chance that you would have time to come back to Amsterdam tomorrow for the concert?” Knowing now why he was there.. I tried to contain my excitement by not jumping up and down but beamed out an elated YES!!! Quickly I cleared anything that would possibly be on my calendar and made a reservation at the hotel they were staying at. Ready to see the concert of all concerts!

Mark and Inga left early in the morning from our house so that he could get back to work. I took the train in to Amsterdam later that afternoon, only getting lost once on the tram. But I was so giddy I didn’t even care!! Inga and I met up and taxied our way to the Ziggo Dome.

Tickets in hand ready to see

Barbra Streisand!

Yes, Mark was one of a handful of lucky people asked to travel and tour with Barbra Streisand around Europe.

I have loved Barbra since I was about 6 years old and saw Funny Girl for the first time.  I couldn’t even tell you my favorite Barbra song… People, My Man, Yentl, The Way We Were, Gypsy, Don’t Rain on My Parade… the list goes on and on. My admiration for this woman with the voice has lasted for years. To see and hear her in person was beyond a dream come true. She was beautiful, classy, humble and beyond pitch perfect! As described before about Ms. Streisand… her voice is smooth as budder and crystal clear.

My Man

But I do have to admit the highlight of my night was getting to see Mark perform with her. As intermission came I saw him standing looking into the audience. I stood and waved wildly at him. 

We both beamed with excitement knowing what a special time it was for us. Mark played 6 different instruments that night! I am so ever proud of my friend Mark and thank him and his beautiful wife Inga for a weekend I’ll never forget. A big hug to your parents Marge and Ted, I know mine… Dick and Nadine, are smiling knowing we got to see each other.

Getting to see Barbra Streisand in concert… perfection!

Getting to see my childhood friend Mark perform with her… priceless!!

Well I’ll be a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Well I’ll be a Yankee Doodle Dandy! 

I finally found a great supply of Yankee Candles here in Eindhoven. There are a few places that sell Yankee Candles but this place has its own special room.

About a year ago my friend Megan and I took off in the middle of a rainstorm in search of this store. We drove around for an hour in the pouring rain with an inkling of an idea on where we were going. I finally had to leave but she was able to find it. With no address in my possession I finally concluded that I would never find it.

Not knowing it was the same store, my friend Kelly told of me of a great place to buy the candles we from the States were missing so much. Address in hand I took off.. and it really wasn’t hard at all. Minus a rainstorm, an address and a GPS, it was pretty easy!

If you’re on the hunt for Yankee Candles or if you’ve never experienced Yankee Candles, do yourself and your house a little favor and visit this beautiful little shop. It’s called La Brasseur. 

Enjoy!

Fashion Fridays Oh Yeah!

Fashion Fridays

Oh Yeah!

While traveling in the States a few weeks ago, I loved my time shopping with my girls in Dallas. There are some amazing malls in Dallas with one of my favorites being Northpark Center.

 http://www.northparkcenter.com/

I’ll keep this short and you can parooze their site… but saw these shoes and thought…

Kate Spade Taxi Shoes

Oh Yeah! I would totally wear those!

 But, I didn’t buy them. This trip was about my girls. Maybe another day.

Fashion in Dallas! You bet!!!