Happy 2015 for everybody .......

.... I think 2014 was a very special year with like everybody ups-and-downs ....but more up then down ; ).

We were surrounded by family and friends: we laughed, cried, talked .......

New adventures, new people to meet ..... new quilts to make...... come on 2015........ we are ready for it!

Oliebollen

I think there is not a real translation for 'oliebollen'. One more tradition here in the Netherlands, making them once a year at the of the year.

The real tradition is to bake them at the 31th of december, I was two days early, but no oliebollen police here ; ).

I must say I think my oliebollen are pretty good ; )

Baking pan borrowed from Dieuwke

SSCS 2014

One of the 'traditions' I love is opening my X-mas present from Chookey's swap. It's the 5th time that I join this swap. Thanks Chookey for organizing it again this year. Count me in for next year!!!





My swappartner Sheryl lives in Australia and I made her an icebear quilt:
http://shez-enjoyinglife.blogspot.nl/2014/12/chookys-sscs.html

My present came from Cheryl she lives also in Australia. So all our packages made long journeys.
Thank you very much Cheryl for your lovely gift, I really love this style,  it's hanging at my door now, and there it will be again next year.

X-mas time

We hardly have been home the last 5 days, that's why I didn't do any blogging. On X-mas eve I went to the Gospel Choir in the Church here, just around the corner. It was very cheerful.
In the Netherlands we have two X-mas days called: First X-mas day and Second X-mas day, which is good, because they are free days from work.

We had a quiet morning unwrapping our X-mas gifts from overseas. Thank you it was really fun.

On thursday afternoon we drove to our friends in Leiderdorp for a 'traditionally' x-mas meal 'gourmetten'. Real fun, gathered with 8 people around the baking plate.

Rob had a new shirt.

Friday morning off we were, driving to my parents close to Deventer. My brother and sister-in-law with there three kids joined us there. In the afternoon a family X-mas tradition: the  'nativity scene' (kerststal) in Joppe. When I was a little child we went there with my grandmothers. Now my own mum, goes there with her grandchildren. I adore the camel and the donkey. Cute isn't it.

Relaxing with a drink!!

 

Don't you love our new slippers we had for X-mas.

My cute little X-mas tree at home!

 

Nathaniel, 7 years old, he adores this suit, and he really to wear to show granny.

Promise, Nathaniel, granny and Chris

 

I hope you had a lovely X-mas  as well, and enjoyed it just as much as we did,  with family and friends and old traditions.

Louwman Museum in The Hague

I think the best museum is a Quiltmuseum ......  but I must admit this was much more interesting then I thought. So come along if you're in The Hague.

Two generations of the Louwman family collected since 1934 old cars. They collected about 250 cars.

The oldest car is from 1886 from miss Bertha Benz. She made a solo tour (200 kilometers) with her two kids, without husband. The story goes that she was very inventive, usingher hat pins and stockings to repair the car during the trip.

X-mas markets in Germany

Den Haag - Wetzlar - Regenburg - Koblenz - back home.

Wonderful days we spend with our friends Hubert and Sabine in Regensburg.


Although we come there many years, each time it feels so good to walk through the Streets of Regensburg.

A medieval city between the rivers Danube and Regen. Also called Ratisbon or Ratisbonne. Between 1135 and 1146, the Stone bridge across the Danube/Donau was built at Regensburg. This bridge opened major international trade routes between northern Europe and Venice, and this began Regensburg's golden age as a residence of wealthy trading families. Regensburg became the cultural centre of southern Germany and was celebrated for its gold work and fabrics.

Here lives Wademar, Wurstkuchl dog, in and around the Wurstkuchl. The Wurstkuchl is a  Historic Sausage Kitchen of Regensburg The 900-year-old building is notable for its role in catering for the workers who built the stone bridge over the Danube. 

The kitchen still operates today, and serves 6,000 sausages to guests daily. Sausages are the only item on the menu and come in portions of six, eight or ten, along with sauerkraut and mustard.

 Neupfharrplatz in Regensburg, one of the four X-mas markets in the centre of Town.

Christus Mansionem Benedicat: a blessing over the doorway of your home is typical in Bayern: 20 C+M+B+15. The letters have two meanings, they are also the initials of Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.The inscription is made above the front door, so that all who enter and depart this year may enjoy God's blessing.

X-mas market in Abensberg, around the tower Hundertwasser. Very special and romantic in the evening. Lots and lots to eat.

Our friends Hubert and Sabine, very good in ballroom dancing: B-class now. Going for the A-international.

Little restaurant along the Donau, south of Regensburg

Mr Darcy meets Eline Veere

..... if you are in The Hague before the 22 march 2015. Don't forget to go to the Haagse Gemeentemuseum: Romantic Fashion.

Inspired by the 19th century thanks to series like Jane Eyre, Eline Vere, Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey you can admire dresses and costumes.

Cotton dress around 1855

 

The dresses from the serie Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey dress