Rainy skies didn’t stop us, oh no! At the end of August, just before school started, we piled into the car and headed to Bruges, Belgium, aka “The Venice of Northern Europe.” And let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into… Continue reading Chocolate, Canals, and Cobblestones: An American Girl in Bruges
Author: ljochim
A Little Day Tripper… An Afternoon in Den Bosch
‘s-Hertogenbosch, more commonly known as Den Bosch, is one of the many charming cities just a short distance from Eindhoven. The town’s name means “The Duke’s Forest,” and it was named after Henry I, Duke of Brabant. Founded in 1185, the city has managed to hold on to much of its history, with beautiful old… Continue reading A Little Day Tripper… An Afternoon in Den Bosch
Lost in Translation… Press 1 for English
I’ve decided I’m officially adding Dutch to the list of languages I “know.” My current level of fluency mostly involves calling a company, getting put on hold, and randomly pushing buttons until I finally reach a real person who speaks English. One of the many adventures of moving to a foreign country is learning a… Continue reading Lost in Translation… Press 1 for English
Eet Smakelijk
I’ve discovered that grocery shopping is actually a sport. Not only do I have to steer my cart sideways through the aisles, but I also have to bag my own groceries! (Yes, yes… I know. I’m spoiled.) But the real challenge? The little old ladies. If you’re walking too slowly, they’ll plow right into you… Continue reading Eet Smakelijk
French Fries, Ketchup, and Mayo… Oh My! Life in Holland
I’m getting a late start to this little story of mine because the first couple of months here were all about getting to know the area and, more importantly, the food. One thing I learned very quickly is that in the Netherlands, there are many more food groups than the usual four. Sure, there’s meat,… Continue reading French Fries, Ketchup, and Mayo… Oh My! Life in Holland
Hit the Road Jack
I don’t know how it is for others learning to drive in a foreign country, but for me, it was downright intimidating. Let’s just get this out in the open: I know how to drive, and I do it well. I was born and raised near Detroit, the Motor City. Cars were part of my… Continue reading Hit the Road Jack
The Trek to Holland
Originally written during our move to the Netherlands in 2011. Funny how life can be moving along one day, and the next, everything you own is packed into boxes and crates, ready to be shipped across the world. After growing up in Michigan and spending my adult life in Texas, our family was moving to… Continue reading The Trek to Holland
February: A Quiet Kind of Love
February arrives wrapped in the language of love. Hearts in shop windows, roses bundled tight against the cold, reminders everywhere to love loudly and boldly. But for me, February has always felt like a softer month—one that invites a gentler kind of love. The kind rooted in kindness, respect, and the simple act of seeing… Continue reading February: A Quiet Kind of Love
The Quiet Magic of Snowed In Days
My Snowy View There’s something almost sacred about a day when the world slows down under a blanket of snow. The hustle fades. The streets grow quiet. Even the air feels softer, hushed by the falling flakes. On days like these, the world seems to pause, inviting us to pause with it. It’s a gentle… Continue reading The Quiet Magic of Snowed In Days
January ~ Happy New Year
New Year, New Goals, and Stories We Are Still Becoming There’s something tender about the beginning of a new year.Not loud. Not demanding.Just quietly asking, where do you want to grow? As writers, January can feel heavy with expectations …new goals, fresh plans, ambitious word counts. But I’ve learned that the most meaningful writing goals… Continue reading January ~ Happy New Year
Blueberry Pancake Publishing 