This Boot was Made for Walking!

I was sitting in my living room today staring out at the beautiful snow that had fallen over night, working myself in to a much deserved pity party about having so much snow this year when I remembered… I live in The Netherlands! Pity Party over and trying to remember that one of the “charming” aspects of The Netherlands is the amount of rain that helps to keep this beautiful country green. And what is snow… just glorified rain!

So, I paroozed through my photos trying to remember what life was like when it was little warmer and we had a little bit of sunshine. But something even more magnificent caught my eye. Pictures from my recent girls trip to Italy.

I can’t believe I took a fabulous vacation to Tuscany in Italy and forgot to write about it. Ok “forget” is a pretty strong word. Let’s say… temporarily put to the back of my mind while real life marched on. But with the calmness of the snow… I had time to gather and reflect upon one of the most beautiful trips I’ve ever taken.

My friends and I had decided we wanted to take a “girls trip” somewhere. Anywhere! And with the help of cheap plane tickets thanks to Ryan Air, Tuscany went to the top of the list. I can’t remember what my ticket cost but it was around 100 Euros round trip with priority seating and an extra bag. Yes, I’ve mentioned before I’m a brat. Hahaha. I had big plans to make sure I got to bring home gifts for my kids and my sisters. I was not about to argue with Ryan air about the weight of my luggage.

We flew into Pisa from Eindhoven, then we bussed our way to Florence. Arriving in the evening a little late the owner of our apartment for the week met us at the door with the key. He had kindly just turned on the heater. . Turned on the heat might be a tad generous… two days later we were finally nice and toasty.We rushed out the door to our first delicious Italian dinner thankful to have been given a great recommendation from him.

The next, day fully invigorated by our chilly night’s sleep, we headed out the door for a bus tour of Tuscany.  Our stops included the beautiful cities of Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa. We also stopped at a vineyard for a lunch and wine tasting.

 The warmth of the fire and the wonderful wine really helped to warm our spirits in the cold rain.

My favorite highlights of the day were:

The Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta of  Siena

The Piazza Del Campo

This was my favorite! Twice a year this area holds a horse race called the II Palio on July 2^nd and August 16^th. Ten horses and riders race the small circle three times around on bareback. Thousands of spectators fill the Piazza to watch and experience the race that lasts about a minute and a half.

The Palazzo Pubblicco

San Gimignano

The Baptistery Pisa

Leaning tower of Pisa

After the bus ride back to the apartment we were all looking forward to a warm cozy room. Hmmmmm…still looking.

The next morning fully rested and ready to take on Florence we headed out the door towards the Ponte Vecchio. 

I love how the Ponte Vecchio opens up all their stalls/stores in the medieval style stone arch way bridge during the day and at night they sleep all closed up all going over the Arno River.

We did a FULL day of walking around Florence and here are my favorites of the day.

The Piazza del Duomo

The Baptistery of the Duomo

The tombs of the Santa Croce

My very first cannoli

Wednesday we headed over to the Accademia di Belle Art to see… 

drum roll please…

David by Michelangelo

From there we went to ..

The Basilica of San Lorenzo 

and the Medici Chapel 

 Then onto the Santa Maria Novella 

then back to the Duomo Museum to see 

The Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti

 owing its name from Michelangelo who looked at beautiful doors and said.. “These doors are fit to be to the Gates of Paradise”. I would have to agree!

Our last day we headed over to the Uffizi Gallery one of the oldest art museums in the world, with the watchful eye of the guards telling us .. NO Cameras… um ok. Until I saw her.

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Picturing the Goddess Venus emerging from the sea, this was truly the icing on the cake for my trip to Tuscany. I sat in awe of the beauty of this painting. The Gallery was filled with wonderful things to see and I’m sure everyone had their favorite. This was mine. All I could sing for days was Venus by Johnny Mathis.

We had lunch outside in the courtyard of the Gallery trying not to get swarmed by birds. It didn’t help that a lady kept feeding them right by us. A little last minute shopping then back to Pisa to catch our flight out EARLY the next morning. Our flight was so early Ryan Air didn’t even bat an eye at my bulging suitcases.

Traveling to Italy for some much needed fun with my friends was fabulous. I thank God every day for putting this unique opportunity of being an expat into my life at a time when my children are grown and I’m able to take off for short little trips with friends. Now the real question is…. Where to next?

P.S. Easter Sunday.. cold, saw some snow flurries and have the fire going. Nice!

Drielandenpunt

I’ve always thought the concept of being in two places at once was a wonderful idea. I especially wish this now as I live in The Netherlands but am very homesick for my children, family and friends who live so far away in the United States. My dream would be to take the beauty of The Netherlands home with me to the States. Trust me, there are some of the most beautiful places on earth in the good ole US of A, and I’ve seen my share them. Here are a few pictures of the beautiful places I’ve been in the States….

But being an expat, you are sent to do a job in a country where you never even dreamed you would be able to see, let alone live in.  This is one of the many blessings of being an expat. This spring and summer I have many friends and family that will make the trek across the pond to visit us here. I’ve been coming up with my best ideas of where to take everyone. Truly there is so much to see right here you don’t even need to leave The Netherlands, but that’s part of the fun of coming to Europe. The many countries are so close together, driving from country to country even in a single day is manageable. That’s when I remembered something very fun!

In The Netherlands there is a place where you can be in THREE places at once and that’s near Vaals. A drielandenpunt is where three countries come together at a point. The countries of Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands come together with a magnificent view. This is the highest point in The Netherlands at 323 meters.

Last year while my daughter was visiting we took the short drive to Vaals. The road to the point in The Netherlands is called Viergrenzenweg or four borders road. At one time the area came together in a point with four countries that included Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Nuetral Moresnet .But this ended in 1919 when Nuetral Moresnet was absorbed into Belgium.

After parking we wandered from country to country trying to find the Drielandenpunt. And then we spotted it. A stone monument that has the countries clearly marked on all three sides. We gathered around snapping pictures and enjoying the fact that we were in three different countries at the same time. Then onto shop and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa.

If you come to this area.. it’s a great thing to put on your to-do list. Drielandenpunt.. standing in three different countries at the same time.. Freakin Fabulous!!!

The Surprising Power of Making Connections International Women’s Day

The Surprising Power of Making Connections

International Women’s Day

On March 8^th, 2013, from the four corners of the earth, women will gather together to celebrate International Women’s Day. This celebration started out as a support for women’s voting and working rights and has taken place for over 100 years. Today, this wonderful day, women gather not only to voice different rights they want to be heard but also just in the plain simple joy of being a woman.

Women have gathered for thousands of years to talk and share ideas of what makes us happy, what upsets us, what we would like to see changed and what we can do about different issues to help other women in need. Whether it’s how to prepare and cook a meal, ideas about raising a family or discussing extremely important social issues , women have always been very good about getting together. With this beautiful gift, we’ve made great contributions to progress of society. Women like Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Hillary Clinton,  Condalisa Rice, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank are a few of the women that come to my mind when I think of courage and leadership.

 North Brabant will gather together to celebrate International Women’s Day in Eindhoven. Organized and run by

 Carola Eijsenring from Indigo World, 

in Eindhoven, this celebration is shaping up to be a magnificent event. As part of a worldwide movement called Join Me on the Bridge, women from around North Brabant will begin International Women’s Day at the bridge by the Van abbemuseum in Eindhoven at 12:00PM.  Silke Georgi will be speaking on behalf of Indigo World about the importance of this event as well as a representative from the Van abbe will be speaking, welcoming women to International Women’s Day. A group picture will be taken to be sent to the Join Me on the Bridge campaign and may also be included in the One Billion Rising campaign . Then a short, joint walk will take place walking to

 De Oude Rechtbank at Stratumseind 32 in Eindhoven.

 The Old Courthouse on Stratumseind, is my new favorite place, where old meets new. After a reception from Indigo World at 13:00, events will run from 14:00-19:00. Maps will be distributed to guests so they will know which events they would like to see or participate in. The program includes a variety of music, performances, poetry readings, theater, workshops and an open stage. Admission is 3.00 Euros and you will need to bring a little cash for drinks and appetizers.

March 8^th, a day to remember and pay gratitude to our mothers, and grandmothers for leading us to be strong and brave and to teach our own daughters that they are not only beautiful, but  intelligent women of the world. Participating in a worldwide event for women, with women, making powerful connections… this American Girl says, Yes! See you at the bridge.