I did it,I bought myself a very very beautiful camera.It is the new Nikon D60 and boy am I happy with it.I saved up for a long time to buy this and when I did I realized it was probably the most expensive thing I ever bought by myself!
Yesterday evening Pim and I went for a walk in the Forrest,and I made a few pictures I am really in aw about,wow what this baby can do.I have a lot to figure out but it has this automatic thing you can always use and end up with great pictures.
This morning around 8.30 our beloved German Sheppard passed away.(she was almost 12 years old)
We are all sad but very grateful that she died without us having to make that decision for her.She had a very bad case of hip displysia and had a lot of trouble walking.She had a mild stroke about a week ago and this morning she went quietly with all four of us at home.We were all on our way out and it is a miracle that it happened the way it did so we could all say goodbye and take care of her.We also had that with our first German Sheppard Lassie and we are so grateful that it also happened this way with Saar.So a sad time for us but also very thankful it happened the way it did.
She has been the best companion any one could wish for.
Thank you all so much for the heartwarming comments on my front door view!I received a lovely comment from Tanja who said: "This is charming. I know that to you, this is simply the way home is: with a certain type of roof line and architecture, certain tree and shrub varieties and so forth. However, from where I sit it seems unbearably exotic." That comment did something to me,It instantly made me more aware of the fact that we do take stuff for granted.I only saw a very drowsy dutch weather picture where all of you saw a different world.I have heard the word Quaint a lot the last couple of days,and that probably is the best word to describe this little country and my little spot on the planet.In dutch we don't have a good translation for it,but I know what is meant by it and really count my blessings that I am living in such a place.So thank you blog land for making me aware of that again.All of you.!!!!
Now for some crafty stuff.Remember I bought this amazing kit by Malphi?
Well I finished the apron!!!!
As soon as I have the whole outfit together I will show you how it looks.I am not very good at sewing things and fortunately you can not see the hems up close because they are all wrong but I must admit to being proud of myself,because it is the first time I actually made something for myself to wear!Thanks to the outstanding kit from Malphi's etsy shop.It had everything ready for me to stitch up,and believe or not I don't have a single strap of ribbon,fabric or anything left!It has everything perfectly measured and ready for you to sew!LOVE IT!
Growing up I had a huge dislike of anything that had the word exercise in it.We use to joke about me not even running to catch a bus!Well.....
About 7 or 8 years ago I made a very big decision to start loosing weight.I have always been kind of chubby growing up and never really felt comfortable with it.So on the day after my husbands birthday I started to really watch my diet and leave out all the sugar and fat and started to exercise more.I lost 20 kilo.I don't know how much stone that is but I can tell you it has had a huge impact on my life.But I was skin and bone for a while.People started to think I was sick and I did find that my body didn't correspond with my face.I had the figure of a teen but the wrinkles that belong to a 40 year old.I also worked out a lot. 3 or 4 times a week and at one point I also started running outdoors for an hour!on end.I had to find a balance in that as well.Because I am so busy lately I found that I didn't exercise that frequent any more.And I am constantly still watching my weight so It kind of freaks me out when I don't exercise.Last night my daughters were going out for a night on the town and my husband was at work so I left for the gym.I got on the treadmill and wow it felt great!!!I stared thinking how much someone can change in a lifetime.I had really missed the running.I had been working out but didn't run so much,(also because of the shitty weather)this morning I looked at myself in the mirror and you can actually always tell that I have been running.I know it sounds silly but it is like your blood circulation sort of makes your cheeks and your skin look better.I feel great after running for about 30 min.So I guess there is the balance.Not to over do it with an hour on end but to be really happy with 30 min and other excises.So that is my little Saturday morning story for you.I am really looking forward to reading what kind of exorcises you all do (or don't do)
My little wiener dog Brechtje needed a new collar and now I found the cutest EVER!(
shhhhh at IKEA)
She looks like a wee hippie now!(Looks can be deceiving ,she is in control of our entire household including a very large German Sheppard)
Remember my New Years resolution?I know it has only been three weeks yet,but I must say I am pretty proud of myself for not buying a single thing up until now,that I didn't need.Nop,not a thing.I even came up with an idea today.I fell in love with these momijidolls.I love them and also the more expensive version the Kokeshi dolls.So instead of rushing down the the nearest shop (or worse,just ordering one from the shop I just linked to)I decided to make my own wooden doll.I had all the stuff right in my studio.The wooden pieces a little paint and of course lots of felt to choose from.My dolly doesn't look like any momiji or kokeshi no sir!!She is a one of a kind!
Like I said,this budget plan does make you more creative and appreciative!
Also made a couple more girls.
Are you ready for some serious cuteness???
I found these new Miffy toys to play with.They are sooooo adorable.They are true works of art for me.I of course am a great Miffy (we call her Nijntje)fan and I am so happy she is a dutch design and known all over the world.Her father is Dick bruna and here is a LINK to the official website.
Yesterday we had a wonderful time picking up Babette and her friend Suus from the airport and hearing all her stories and adventures about London.I can not tell you how much we all have missed her this week,and I am not letting her go ANYWHERE for the next days,I will just sit here and look and listen to my beautiful globetrotter.
So back to Miffy,I had bought this wonderful Nina caracter dolly and decided at 23.30 after everybody had gone to bed that it was time to give her a new dress.At midnight she was ready for a picture in her new clothes but unfortunately the lighting didn't allow it.
So here some pictures of Nina (Miffy's friend)
Before and after pictures.
Here are some more pictures of other Miffy caracters and toys you can buy.I am going to collect them all,starting my search for Miffy herself but she is sold out in the stores all the time.
You can find them in this online shop Dick Bruna shop
Saturday I visited Amsterdam with my daughters and didn't forget to bring my camera this time.
When you leave the train station there are thousands of bicycles ,it still is an amazing thing even for dutch people Click on the pic to see the bikes more closely.
(She looked so gorgeous I just had to take a picture.It was a special day in Amsterdam,that had the theme 'Glamourous'and she certainly was that!)
We are back and boy did we have fun!
We had to buckle Missy up in the car seat but...
Sh...it didn't really fit all that well because of her arms.You know....
So we put her in the trunk and that didn't go over very well either,she got a bit cranky and so I had to hold her the entire two hours.
When we got to the farm the cows were too far away to get a good pic.Miss Missy didn't mind it at all.She thinks cows are too big anyway!
In the room we stayed in she didn't want to stay by herself when we went out to dinner.So I bribed her
I bought her so many new children's books that she was still reading them when we got back from dinner.
All Lauren Child books.We love those!
The next day we visited a beautiful town called Giethoorn.The houses there can only be reached by boats so everybody has wee little bridges in front of their houses and you can rent a boat to explore the canals.You can't drive through it,just walk or by boat.So beautiful.I will leave you with some pictures.Miss Missy was pooped and so were we!
