We’ve all come to accept that 2020 might turn out to be a year indoors. The Netherlands has opened a few more places but a majority of areas are still closed. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve used my bullet journal as an event planner. It’s been a better use of the paper since most of my days are open and don’t need a to-do list. I set up a spread for April but it’s still blank… I knew…
There’s a single day each year where the Dutch go crazy with patriotism. They throw huge parties, dress in neon orange, and shop at stores with holiday discounts. That day is King’s Day and it’s the birthday of the current King, Willem-Alexander. For one day, the entire country celebrates as one entity and it’s quite impressive to see. But as you can imagine, people must to stay indoors. No more wild parties and street vendors. A city also would host…
It’s been ages since Sander and I had a date night. We went on date lunches once in a while before the lock down and it doesn’t look like that will be ending any time soon. I don’t mind eating at home, in fact I prefer it. We get to eat healthier and we save some money. But sometimes there are nights where you want to go out and get swept away in the excitement of a date night. So…
I need to preface this and say my eating habits are changing all the time. I like to experiment with what makes me feel good and what I have cravings for. I’m not a dietitian and I encourage you to find food that enjoy eating and makes you feel good! Everyone is different and you should listen to what your body needs from you. Less is more I’m one of those people. I don’t mind eating the same meal for…
I love living in The Netherlands because I get to observe seasons. A year in California is a year of summer so when I moved I was a bit overwhelmed. It’s been 4 years since I moved and I’ve adjusted well. I have to say that spring and autumn are my favorites but there’s so much to see during the spring. So allow me to share a bit of what makes me happy! Babies! Oh boy, the amount of baby…
It’s been almost a month since the Dutch Prime Minister gave his first press conference. He recommended we stay indoors and that we limit contact with others. That also meant we had to postpone all our holiday plans. This is not a mandatory quarantine but Sander and I want to respect our neighbors. Sander and I are like bears and staying inside hasn’t been easy. We hibernate all winter and in spring we emerge to do all sorts of wonderful…
Whew, here we are still in the middle of quarantine. While not much has changed for me, my priorities have shifted a bit. I’ve been baking a lot because some of our foods can be difficult to get a hold of. Bread was out of stock the first week of lockdown and bread is important to the Dutch. Many people have it for breakfast and lunch… To see the shelves completely empty was a shock. We live in a small…
You might be living under a rock if you haven’t heard about the new Animal Crossing game, New Horizons. It’s been a huge hit with the quarantine since people need to stay inside. This is the 5th installment for the main Animal Crossing series and I have to say it’s the best one yet. I’ve played the games over the years and fell in love with the laid back, take your time and play your way style. Each day happens…
The Dutch aren’t well known for their flavorful meals. There aren’t a lot of herbs and spices used in their recipes… But that doesn’t mean that their aren’t delicious meals. And let me tell you, Erwtensoep is an amazingly delicious meal. It’s a simple staple that has been around for ages. And it’s as Dutch as it gets when it comes to soups. Nothing is more traditional than Erwtensoep. Think of pea soup but even better. It’s got the same…