December in the Netherlands means ferrying the children to school in near-darkness and evenings that draw in early. The temperatures take a nosedive and there’s every chance that snow will form a blanket over this little land. But a Dutch December certainly doesn’t spell doom and gloom. Winter in the Netherlands can be a lot… Continue reading 5 Ways to Embrace a Dutch December
It struck me today that the whole Brexit thing is rather like the whole Sinterklaas thing here in the Netherlands - and there are lessons the Brexit camp could have learnt from the Dutch. Bear with me: it's June and we're talking Sinterklaas so I know you're wondering where the hell this is going.....Lesson 1. Outdated, Insulting… Continue reading 3 Lessons Brexit Could Have Learnt From Sinterklaas, Yes Sinterklaas!
In true traditional Dutch style we'll be enjoying an Easter brunch this morning, followed by some egg hunting. In honour of Easter this year I've made a cheesecake - with the Easter bunny searching for his own stash of delights......it almost seems a shame to disturb him!For those of you who mark Easter, I wish… Continue reading Happy Easter!
'Tis the season of giving. It's a great time to think about what we can give. What have we already given? What have we got left to give? December shouldn't just be about the presents.And that is exactly the sentiment that BonBon Break is embracing this month, hand in hand with Water Aid America (the UK arm… Continue reading ‘Tis the Season of Giving: 40 Ways to Create Winter Memories
In the Netherlands as soon as pakjesavond is celebrated and Sinterklaas is on his way back to Spain everything related to the 5th of December is quickly packed away. Then it's time to turn attention to Christmas. That means everyone runs to the local garden centre or Christmas tree vendor on the 6th of December… Continue reading 6 December aka ‘Put Your Christmas Tree Up’ Day
However you are celebrating this evening, I wish you a fabulous pakjesavond filled with fun, laughter and gezelligheid!Sint and his Pieten visited us early afternoon, left us some presents - and the boys are spending the afternoon playing. Harmoniously. Peacefully. Happily. Happy kids, happy mama!Later we'll get the gourmet out and eat together. Happy pakjesavond to… Continue reading From My Home to Yours – Een Fijne Pakjesavond!
This year, for the first time, the Sinterklaas 'surprise' has made an appearance in our home. My eldest is in group 5 which means he gets to make (and also receive) a surprise for (and from) a classmate.It's simple. He buys a present up to the value of €5 and then hides it in a… Continue reading The Sinterklaas School ‘Surprise’
