Since coming to The Netherlands, I have been fortunate to join a great ladies’ social group, Adventurously Yours. It was started by someone who was an expat here in Wassenaar. It has lived on and grown since she moved back to the U.S., today including a book club, cooking club, day trips, and weekend trips … More Peak District Christmas Markets
April 27 – King’s Day (Koningsdag) is a national holiday that celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. This year, the King turned 56. Celebrations begin the evening of April 26, King’s Night. Many towns have outdoor stages and live music DJs. Or you can go to a local bar, pub or club. In some areas … More Kings’s Day (Koningsdag)
I am a day late, but yesterday was National Tulip Day in The Netherlands. This is the eleventh year for Tulip Day, which takes place on the third Saturday in January. While bulbs are starting to pop up in my garden, we are not close to full blown flowers. We likely have some cold weather … More National Tulip Day
Thanks to our Dutch/American neighbor, we were introduced to the Dutch New Years traditions this year. Oliebollen The word oliebollen (link to a recipe if you want to try to make them yourself) literally translates to oil ball. These are the Dutch version of donuts and are said to be the origin of what Americans … More New Years Traditions in NL
I have always heard amazing stories about the German Christmas markets, so for our first Christmas here I had to check them out. One of the cities with the most, and reputedly some of the best, markets is Cologne so we headed there first. It didn’t hurt that it was also a 3.5 hour drive. … More German Christmas Markets
The Dutch have a unique (and somewhat controversial) holiday tradition – Sinterklaas. Now Sinterklaas is universally loved, his sidekick Piet, he is not as well received. But let’s hold that thought for now and discuss Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas is based on Based on St. Nicolaas of Myra, patron saint of children, sailors and Amsterdam, who was … More Who is Sinterklaas?
We have lived away from our families for more than 20 years now and the holidays are never quite the same when its just the three of us. In Houston, we developed a wonderful tradition with our framily (friends that are like family) and spent Thanksgiving with them and their family. It was wonderful food … More Thanksgiving
Red, White and Tulips 