Tidy

This was the nicest part of my cleaning frenzy today. I suppose it's a bit like a stone mandala or zen garden in the way that it calms me when i clean and arrange them.

Nuts and Bolts

The neighborhood behind my atelier is beautiful. This building has been derelict for years and if i had the funds I would restore it and move in immediately.
A short walk across the small gracht and you are in the center with interesting streets. This is one thing that attracted me to holland, I suppose.
Enjoy!
While shopping for vitamins I nipped into this arts and crafts store for a drawing pad. In the window was a small village and all the villagers were made of felt. creepy
This fine block of metal sculpture is held together by nuts and bolts, or is it? It may be a bit difficult to see with the reflections on the window and the whole time space continuum thing.

The day after the day after christmas

Catch up

It was a busy few days before Christmas. Shopping started in Haarlem on the 23rd. I really love the side streets in Haarlem. Nic this is the same street we had lunch in spring a few times and sat outside.
Since Vance's birdie episode I have been haunted. The Vishal is a Gallery in Haarlem. I usually like to duck in and see what is going on. I had to stop in to see the exhibit this time, due to it's content. Birds.
The 24th found me in Amsterdam. I am a New Yorker, I actually like the hustle and bustle and it still isn't as manic as America. I only stopped to look in the window at Pompadour. I was on a mission.
Negen straatjes. Pecorino was on the list. I thought the window looked somewhat festive. If you stare long enough at this photo you get dizzy. well, I do.
Someone's bright idea.
A quick stop at L'Occitane. I was informed that they will start another store in Haarlem in March.
Dat was het weer, tot het volgende keer!
Zen was on holiday, as was Esquinja. Good for them, beat for me.
This is proudly displayed on the Heinekenplein tram stop sign.


Merry Christmas!!

Blue Sky

and just like that, the sun comes out
This was taken about 10:30 a.m.

so everything was still fresh and clean

Driving to Arnhem, the trees looked like clouds on the ground.

There was plenty of skating going on.

It was stunning.

Upon my return I had a hot chocolate

Jack had a nap

Happy Winter Solstice

Jack loves the snow.

He ran around in circles until he became over heated.

A small park in the neighborhood.

Ducks are having some difficulty.

If it were not for the trunks of the trees, it would be endless.
A blurry photo of the grote tree in the grote markt.

The steeple behind belongs to a church where Mozart once played.

Haarlem is proud to say they use only energy efficient bulbs.

From another angle and much steadier, the same tree.

Lit up behind is the Gemente building.

Baby, It's cold outside

Our morning walk was nippy. Jack seemed oddly unaffected by it all. Suffice it to say the day only became whiter. I thought it was beautiful.


Sneezer Sideler and Rekel opted for comfort and warmth. I think rekel is a bit fed up with the paparazzo.

Frosted flakes

a very frosty crispy sunday morning in the Amsterdamse bos

jack waiting patiently to run to the lake? He won't run out of my sight but when water is involved he can get a bit impatient.

a pond somewhat frozen over

jack and banjer playing tug of war

the light in Holland is beautiful, Joan Collins couldn't ask for better filtered light.

Towelie

These are great buildings in the east

Somewhere close to Gewoon and yet so far away

It's a love hate relationship with jack and towely

there isn't much left of it

ah, the joy a bit of terrycloth can bring

It must be Christmas

Sitting under the tree watching all the decorating hooplah



Sneezer can't resist the heady smell of pine, even through his runny nose.

a certain kind of christmas market

driving to Antwerp.

Jesus is coming (look busy)

they had old churches, giant penguins and ice skating

doesn't the architecture look familiar?

Jesus did eventually make an appearance

i don't understand why this photo doesn't appear correctly it is saved right side up.

gemagic goes couture

Paper or plastic?

apparently it's not just a question asked in the supermarket anymore.

Chillax

one kitty's yoga mat,

is another cats crash pad.

jack isn't fond of peas he can sift them out of a mash of meat and veg but he ALWAYS leaves one behind, (if you look closely to the lower right corner you can see rekel sniffing out leftovers)

little buddha

a sunny morning filtered through paper flowers

stillness

i ride my scooter along the Spaarne to Haarlem station

capturing light

and releasing it again