Since moving to the Netherlands just a few months earlier, my bucket list had quietly, but completely, rearranged itself. Places that once felt far away suddenly seemed possible. And sitting right at the top was Paris. During our first long school break, we packed up the car and made the four-hour drive to the City… Continue reading Chasing Paris
Tag: My Writing
Going Home
Five years ago, a twist of fate landed right in the middle of our lives. A company from The Netherlands began recruiting my husband, and they were very persistent. Suddenly we found ourselves researching everything we could about living overseas. We talked with family and close friends about how they felt about us leaving, and… Continue reading Going Home
The Doorway to Possibilities (My Reading List for the Summer)
June has always felt like the doorway to possibility. When I was teaching, June meant the end of one season and the beginning of another. Now, in retirement, it feels even sweeter. The calendar opens, the days stretch a little longer, and I find myself looking ahead with the same excitement I felt as a… Continue reading The Doorway to Possibilities (My Reading List for the Summer)
Is This the Real Life… Queen’s Day in Amsterdam
Back in April, my daughter and I came to the Netherlands to visit her new school and search for a house. Our trip ended with a day in Amsterdam, a city that winds around the North Sea with countless canals threading through narrow streets. And yes, there are thousands of bikes, parked everywhere. Honestly, I… Continue reading Is This the Real Life… Queen’s Day in Amsterdam
Chocolate, Canals, and Cobblestones: An American Girl in Bruges
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
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
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
Blueberry Pancake Publishing 