Homemade by Margy

Early birthday present

2012-01-20T13:38:00.002+01:00

Today I visited a friend of mine and was happily surpirsed with an (very) early birthday present.
The mug will go with me to work and the plate will go in the kitchen. ALso love the cupcake passport holder, which will be very helpful since I have a couple of trips ahead of me.
Thank you soooo much.

You´re damn right

2012-01-10T15:11:00.002+01:00

This year:

- I turn 40
- I am married 10 years
- I will give a big B-party
- I will make a trip to NY/Paris
- I will go on more dates with DH
- ...

Auf Wiedersehen

2012-01-08T06:36:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we left for home. When we were driving toward Kitzbüdel, this was the sight, wow... We didn´t know then that it would be a day off ´stau´, snow and rain and a lot of traffic chaos. Our friends took the road Munchen - Frankfurt and only had problems. As I forgot my ski jacket in the hotel in Augsburg and we went to pick it up, we only had one traffic jam due to road works.

Our last breakfast together...

And this is how our boys travel...

We made it back home safe and sound, so we can start dreaming about our next ski holiday.

Last day

2012-01-06T20:24:00.004+01:00

This was the sight we met this morning when we woke up, the path to the door was completely snowed in. So we started shoffling this morning at 6.30 to make sure that the baker could reach us for our bread.

Next was our car... Yes, there is a car underneath that pile of snow.

Then, there was time to play, so we all went out to engage in snowball fights, and an occasional nosedive in the snow.

The guy that cleanes our path now and then left his snow machine before our door, it turned out that a belt broke and he had to repair it.

As you can see, snow fun all day until it got dark. At the moment the kids are in bed and
everything is packed in the car, so we are ready to leave in the morning.

So, this is our last family picture. We had a great time, a wonderfull and relaxed holiday. And yes, I crocheted all those vikings hats.

Day of the big race

2012-01-05T19:25:00.003+01:00

So today was the day of the big races. Anne was up first, so we had a look at her race. The two small ones were more interested in the abyss they were facing.

Anne did great in her slalom race, as she and only a few others were allowed to do slalom and the smaller ones did only a ´downhill´ race.

After lunch the two boys were up, but the wind picked up and a small snow storm started, so it was quite cold to stand there but the boys enjoyed every minute of it.

Son #2 had a bit of difficulty on the lift as the boy next to him fell of it and he could barely hang on, but he managed until the place were they were supposed to leave.

Son #2 starting his slalom, he did great as he was the second smallest and the youngest of the group. He was the only one that didn´t need a skipass as he is only 5.

Son #1 did very good, he skied very well. Again, he was one of the youngest of the group.

Son #2 became 4th, a very good job, very well done.

Son #1 turned 3rd. Again, a very good performance. We are very proud of all 3 kids, they did very well under very hard conditions.

Day 5

2012-01-04T20:36:00.006+01:00

Today was a day full of snow. It startes snowing this morning and it only got worse. The kids had trouble skiing, but they managed although they were frozen when we picked them up at the lesson.

In the afternoon it stopped snowing, and since we had to go to the store (we were out of toliet paper :-) ), the men cleared/dug out the car... and went to the store to get the necessities as the locals expect only more snow, around 70 cm. So we will see what the weather bring us.

So DH did the groceries and cooked... (we went out to eat).

Great meal, great service and a playroom for the kids = happy parents.

Day 4

2012-01-03T18:32:00.006+01:00

Our Home away from home... Chalet Gerlinde.

Cousins...

Two of my 4 champions. DH now knows he has to work on his condition to keep up with son #1. I was just commented by Robert 2 out of 4 champions? So here is my 5th...

Some action pictures... you can see that the weather is great.

First day off classes

2012-01-02T19:47:00.002+01:00

This morning the ski classes for the kids started, so it was a bit of a hectic morning to get 5 kids under 8 ready for a fun filled day of skiing and sleding. But we managed so here are some pictures of our day.
The kids are unbeatable and the guys... well, you can see for yourself...

New Year´s day

2012-01-01T08:07:00.002+01:00

Yesterday night the kids spent some time outside playing with kids fireworks.

DH tried to light one of those Thai Hot air things, but it didn´t go up, so we extinghuised it with snow.

And as you can see, we had a great time celebrating the New Year.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T19:43:00.000+01:00

Wishing you all a very happy, healty and safe New Year!

Arrived in Austria

2011-12-31T19:33:00.003+01:00

When we arrived at the Gerlospass we needed to put our snowchains on the car. Guess who of the tree persons is an engineer?

Finally a lot of snow... This is in front of the chalet. Wow, the snow is great. The kids are loving it.

2011-12-30T19:26:00.002+01:00

This morning we left for Augsburg, Germany, our stop before driving to Austria. Since tomorrow is the last day of the year we wanted to arrive on time in our chalet, so we decided to leave today.
At noon, we still had good nice weather, cold but dry, so we decided to have a break for lunch. A good idea, because the weather turned on us.

This and worse was the rest of the trip... But we arrived safely in Augsburg, we had a bite to eat in an old brewery and now we are back at the hotel.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T10:38:00.000+01:00

Homemade present

2011-12-23T09:08:00.002+01:00

Son #1 needed to make a homemade present for a secret santa party in his class. So he checked out the different patterns and his choice were these christmas lights. He crocheted the string and I made the lamps. I hope his secret santa bussy likes the lights. If you like the pattern, it is a freebie from ravelry: you can get it here.

Flowers

2011-12-22T13:35:00.003+01:00

This morning a van from the florist stopped at our place and a guy comes out with a big bouquet of flowers... For me???
Yes, they are from my colleagues, thanks guys, they look and smell wonderful.
Yesterday and the day before I still had doctor´s appointments, so today I am taking it easy.

Lucky

2011-12-16T12:00:00.005+01:00

Yesterday evening when I wanted to go home after school, I was hit by a car.
The ambulance took me to hospital and I returned yesterday evening.
So today, I am just going to take it easy and stay on the couch, as my whole body hurts...

Christmas market in cave

2011-12-11T19:09:00.005+01:00

The boyfriend of our au pair visited her this weekend and we thought we would visit an original Christmas market. The one in Valkenburg (there are actually two) are held in the two local man-maded caves.

The temperature inside is always 12 degrees Celsius, so quite nice. And it is a lovely market to visit. One word of advice, come early! As we left the caves, there were no more people allowed to enter until people left, so the amount of people in the caves is regulated. So outside were huge lines with waiting people...

In the above pic you can see that people used to make sculptures in the caves... In the older parts, you can see wonderful sculptures and paintings, you can even find fossils.

Christmas tree

2011-12-08T19:06:00.002+01:00

Our christmas tree arrived last week but we waited with the decoration until sunday, because we celebrated Sinterklaas on Saturday.
And now that it is decorated the christmas sprit has arrived, the whole houses is decorated, the wreath is hanging on the front door, so all we have to wait for is snow...
Hmm, since it is still 5 to 8 degrees Celsius, I don´t think we will have a white christmas...
Oh well, we will not let it spoil the fun, as long as it snows in Austria. More about that in a later post.

Idea = 8, performing it = 2

2011-12-04T20:01:00.002+01:00

Since the weather was poor yeaterday, a lot of wind and rain, and the kids were indoors all day, we thought it would be a good idea to take them to the beach. We also took our nephew with us since he stayed with us last night so his parents could have a quite night.
When we drove on the boulevard, I noticed that there were not many people on the beach...
So we unloaded all the boys and walked towards the sea... and were sanded by the wind. Not a real good idea, so we packed them back in the car and had some pancakes for lunch.

Sinterklaas

2011-12-04T13:25:00.004+01:00

Yesterday evening, Sinterklaas paid our family a visit. Alle our cousins, nieces and nephews were present and we had a great time.
DH was called to Sinterklaas; because he learned son #1 a dirty Sinterklaas song, so he was naughty...
All the kids got great presents and the ones they wanted, how does Sinterklaas knows what they want???? Son#3 was so excited that after he spoke to Sinterklaas, he fell asleep in Opa´s lap.

That time of year...

2011-12-01T10:54:00.002+01:00

How quickly did December creep up on me...

I have so much to do before the holidays, so this will be a busy time, want to crochet some more hats and our au pair made a wonderful scraf for herself, so I am a bit envious, I also want one, oh well, start crocheting Margy. You can do it.

Our christmas tree arrived yesterday, I went to look for one on Saturday, saw the perfect tree, which was way too expensive...(think €245), then looked some more and found the perfect tree within our budget. Will make some pictures when it is decorated. Decorating the tree... will have to put that on our TO DO-list.

Chilly jam

2011-11-28T21:29:00.002+01:00

Tonight I made some chilly jam to go with the christmas turkey.

The recepy comes for the Nigella Christmas cook book and is sooooooo yummy. Just love it with turkey or chicken.

Sinterklaas

2011-11-20T14:12:00.002+01:00

Yesterday Sinterklaas visited DH´s work. All the kids gathered at the cantine and sang Sinterklaas songs and ate of all the goodies that were lying there, speculaas, pepernoten, banketstaaf, etc.
After Sinterklaas had met every child in person and spoke to them, they all got their presents and opened them all together. Great to see all the kids opening their presents at the same time.
Great afternoon, great Sinterklaas feest. Thanks to all the people that make it possible every year.

Viking hats

2011-11-19T10:07:00.003+01:00

As you can see, I am still chrocheting hexagons for my pink and blue African flower afghan. But since it is for myself, it doesn´t matter that it takes this long... LOL

Last week I have been crocheting some viking hats for DH and the boys. We will all go on ski holiday with a viking hat... I bought the pattern from Mamachee on etsy. They look grat, I also made another one is August, so that will be mine and the boys will have a darker grey one. So now that the hats are finsihed I have to make four pairs of horns...

Busy crafting

2011-11-13T13:50:00.003+01:00

As you remember, Jules stayed with us last week. I didn´t show a picture of Jules new outfit and his new blanket. I made him a uniform out of an old uniform form the boys. And offcourse a scarf and hat as it is getting colder.

I also made some crochet mustaches for the boys. I found the pattern on the blog of Easy makes me Happy. Great tutorial and it the boys love them.

Yesterday we had diner at De Troubadour in Antwerp. If you ever are in Antwerp and you manage to get reservations, go there. The food and services is great and we have never been dissapointed by them. It got pretty late, so this morning we picked up the boys and now we are having a lazy day indoors.

Thomas The musical

2011-11-06T20:57:00.002+01:00

Since son #3 is a big fan of Thomas the engine, I booked tickets to go to the musical when I saw they were coming to Holland. For some reason they don´t perform in Belgium.
Today was the big day. And offcourse Jules tagged along.

The loved the musical and especially son #3 was mesmerised by the whole show, he bsolutely loved it and at the end they had the opportunity to meet the actors.

In the car they were still singing the songs...

Trip to the Beach

2011-11-05T18:54:00.003+01:00

Today we went to the beach as the weather here is even better than last summer. It is still warm and you don´t need a jacket on the beach... and this in November !

Jules joined us and he was very naughty because he swam in the sea and now his clothes are all wet... Too bad we were to late to take a picture of Jules swimming in the sea.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:51:00.000+01:00

Bobbejaanland

2011-10-30T20:42:00.005+01:00

Yesterday we were invited to spent the day in Bobbejaanland. But because I had a splitting migraine attack, the boys had to go without me. Luckily our au pair didn´t mind joining them, and as you can see by the pictures, the had a wonderful time. Thanks Jelle, you made Halloween come alive for my boy, they just loved the day at Bobbejaanland.

Grandparents day at school

2011-10-29T18:38:00.003+02:00

Every day we have grandparents day at school. The kids can show their classrooms to their grandparents and they can see what the kids do all day at school.
Our au pair and I vollunteered to serve coffee and cake to all the 400 grandparents that paid a visit. Fun day, they did great.
And if you wonder who the little funny guy is in the first picture, that is Jules, he is teh mascotte of son #3´ class and he is staying with us for the autumn holiday. Each child has him over to sleep and can tell about the adventures they had with Jules when they go back to school. So this was his first adventure, secretly going to grandparents day, because only grandparents are allowed to come...

2011-10-28T15:06:00.002+02:00

I promised some more pictures of the finished quilt after I presented it to its new owner. The quilt was made for my FIL who needs to undergo cancer treatment. The quilt has a pirate theme, guess who´s choice it was?
I used pictures of all the grandsons, there are no girls, just to make sure :-). I also used pieces of their shirts and shirts of their fathers, so all sons and grandsons participated and I also had them draw some pirate ships. Since grandson #4 is too small, his mum tooks his handprints. I for one liked the finished result.

Finished quilt

2011-10-24T21:15:00.001+02:00

Yesterday I finished this charm quilt. It is made from pieces of clothing, drawings and pictures and it is for someone very special but I am not spoiling the surprise. So when we have given it to this person, I will post some mre pictures of the quilt itself.

jiu jitsu - Update

2011-10-23T11:17:00.004+02:00

The boys got their new colors as you can see, they did their best and now they can show it... They were both very proud as are we.

The boys had jiu jitsu today. Son #1 went for his 5th Kyu 1st half and son #2 6th Kyu 2nd half. They did their best so we will wait for their result next week...

Exams

2011-10-20T18:33:00.003+02:00

Yep! they are. Today I had two exams.

We already know the results of one, and I passed, the other one, we get the result in about one and a half week...
But now, I have time to craft again. So I immediately got on the couch with my quilt.

Antwerp Zoo

2011-10-16T19:47:00.002+02:00

This morning we paid a visit to the Antwerp Zoo with our au pair. But unfortunately, we were not alone... Normally the zoo is not so popular on Sunday morning but now it was swamped... So we only paid it a short visit.
The lions have their new enclosure so it was nice to see that they have much , more space now. But we learned that the lions mate and his daugther fight him, so he was alone today. Poor guy, intimidated by two females...

Although it seems that he likes being on his own.

Son #3 was a bit tired, since he had to walk quite a distance yesterday, so we cut the walk short and went back home. And as you can see, he was really tired...

jiu jitsu

2011-10-16T15:06:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we had a walk through the forest wit the jiu jitsu, you had to do tasks on the way. When we arrived back at base camp the boys could do some games and afterwards we had a BBQ. Great idea, fun afternoon.
And some planking on the way...

Pink

2011-10-14T06:48:00.002+02:00

This is a combination I would wear. Love the pinks and especially the bag.

stitch itch

2011-10-12T21:34:00.003+02:00

I was checking out Pinterest, (yes, I know, I spent way too much time there) when I saw this gorgeous stitched piece. The pattern is available from ThisTinyExistence. I can´t imagine how many hours of embroidery went into this exquised piece.
Wish my craft place would look like this...

Crochet

2011-10-11T22:17:00.003+02:00

I saw this afghan on Pinterest. And it has a link to the pattern. I just love it, I would make it with a red background to take to our cabin when we go skiing. Oh, who am I kidding, I still have so many UFO´s that it will take me at least a year to finfih everything, but then...
A specially since I am studing for my exams...

Autumn

2011-10-09T13:40:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I noticed some squirrels in the back of the garden. As I followed them running through the yard, I saw that we already have some shrooms in the yard, but they are already damaged because some animals fed on them, probably the squirrels. And as it has been raining all weekend, autumn is definitelt here.

Yesterday morning we made a quick trip to the market in Antwerp, where I bought these... a cross between strawberries and raspberries... they tasted like the small wood strawberries, but they are much bigger, really nice and they didn´t last the trip back, as we ate them in the car.
Have been quilting a bit, but since I have exams in two weeks, I have been reading in my books a bit... I think it is getting time to do this...

Happy camper

2011-10-05T21:12:00.002+02:00

Today my new sewing machine arrived! I am a happy camper. Couldn´t wait until the kids were to bed and I could unpack it and try it...
Oh, and what a difference it is with my old machine. No comparison...
When DH saw my trying some different stitches, he wondered when I would shorten his trousers... as if this machine is made for domestic work, no this machine is made for quilting.

WIP

2011-10-01T14:54:00.002+02:00

My sewing machine died on me, so yesterday I joined my friend Evelyn to finish my quilttop. She generously offered that I use her sewing machine. So I went over, we had a cup of coffee in a local bistro first and then we started.

She tried a new pattern and I finfished my quilttop. It is now lying on the dining table to be pinned, so I can quilt it.
And since my friend´s sewing machine was so great, I also bought a brother. I ordered it from Matri. So I can´t wait to get it and give it a go here at home.

Wonderful weather

2011-09-24T17:21:00.004+02:00

Today the weather was great! So we decided to visit my PIL who live near the beach.
And even on the beach, we had wonderful weather, with a warm breeze.
The boys enjoyed this unexpected day at the beach. They found these empty crab shells and one crab that was still living and son #1 even a fish that was still alive, so he showed it in his bucket and then through it back into the sea, where it swam away real quickly.

In the meanwhile I am still crocheting on my Lollo bear, but I saw that I don´t have enough stuffing, so I will have to get some, so I can finish him.

WIP

2011-09-18T19:29:00.003+02:00

While I am crocheting on my hex blanket and finishing a quilt (my sewing machine died on me while making the top of the quilt), I started a new project.
It is the lovely Lollo from Heidi Bears. When she finished the pattern I immediately bought the pattern and couldn´t wait to start. I finished the head, and a big portion of his body and also one arm. He is absolutely gorgeous and I willd o my best to finish him as soon as possible.
When I finish him, I will show the result.

Look who arrived

2011-09-16T13:43:00.004+02:00

Today a little bag with a red cross arrived and it was adressed to your youngest son. And look who it is...Son #3 lost his stuffed animal, last week... again, so I called the Knuffelkliniek. They have stock of all the stuffed anlimals they ever made and you can back/order them. And the way the present the animals, how cute is this?
I think there will be a very happy boy after school...

Autumn is coming

2011-09-11T14:49:00.002+02:00

This morning we had a walk in the Peerdsbos, a small forest in Brasschaat. Because autumn is coming early there were already chestnuts and beechnuts (hope this is correct), as son #3 shows in the pic below. We harvested some to feed to the squirrel that lives in our garden, as we don´t have nuttrees in our garden.

As the weather was better than predicted, we also had a row at the small lake of the castle of Brascchaat.
But then we met this tree...
Doesn´t the eye look eery...

Craft

2011-09-03T08:59:00.003+02:00

For those of you that are wandering if I did any craft during our holiday... Yes, I did!
I made this viking hat, it was a trial hat, as I tried it before with a different kind of wool and it didn´t work out they I want it to be.
When we were in Augsburg, Germany, we strolled in the city and I saw a wool shop, so I bought some 100% Merino wool for crochet hook 7. And I think it worked out they way it should be, although the horns should be more curved.
The problem now is, I can´t find such wool anywhere around here, so I think the easiest way is to order them from the net in Germany.
And offcourse I also am still working on my African Flower blanket.

School started

2011-09-02T18:58:00.003+02:00

On thursday all schools started in Belgium, so the boys went back to school. As you can see all the kids were very interested in the start of school and the little play the teachers performed.

Last day in Austria

2011-08-26T19:48:00.005+02:00

Today was our last day in Austria. We promised son #3 to take a ride with the steam engine of the zillertalbahn, and so we did.
All the kids, our boys and my cousin´s daughter were in ´trachten´, so they were the talk of the town.
The steam engine ride was really great for the kids, and the views are amazing. A trip worthwhile making.

We drove from Kaltenbach to Mayrhofen, where we had a bite to eat in a Konditorei, and then we took the regular train back to Kaltenbach; At the moment we packed our stuff and I am waiting for DH to bring the car to the chalet to pack the car. So this is the end of a great vacation in Austria.

Kaprun

2011-08-25T21:04:00.002+02:00

We visited the Wasserkraftwerken in Kaprun. This little town is famous for the big fire they had in one of trains that brings skiers to the piste.
But they have a beautiful attraction, the stauseen in the mountains. High up in the mountains they built three dams to generate power. You can visited them taking one of these big elevators and some busses.

The sights are amazing and they have fun playgrounds and exebitions for the kids. And the ride up in the bus is worth it, but not for people who are afraid for heights.

Krimml

2011-08-24T20:38:00.003+02:00

Today we visited the local craft market in Krimml. We bought some great wooden toys and minerals. The boys love all the minerals you can find here and in this valley you can find a lot of mountain cristals, as the picture above shows.
We bought some smaller ones and spent some time enjoying some local specialities like Krapfen and bradwurst.
Tonight we had a swim at the Kristalbad in Wald, where this picture was taken of Groene beestje on a cristal, because offcourse he joined us.

Krimml Falls

2011-08-22T18:38:00.004+02:00

Today we visited the Krimml Wasserfall. When we drove up to the falls we drove pass a forest where there were 2 big male deer. As they saw the car they ran away, but I have never seen the big males this close to houses. The small bambi like deer you see a lot, but the big Hubertus ones, wow...
My dad, DH and son #1 climbed the falls, and I stayed down with the other kids. We visited the visitorcenter.

As the weather is very hot overhere, we had days with 34°C at 1700 m, a hat is not a luxery. But the waterspray from the falls gave a nice cooldown effect.

I took the kids in a Kneipp bath... the wellness lovers under us know this. First you submerse your arms into icecold water for a better bloodcirculatio, and then you walk around in a small artifical lake with stones... Let me tell you... do people pay for this?

But we found some lizards in the water, as you can see, the kids loved them, so I had to get a couple of them for all the kids, as they all wanted to touch them.

Last week update

2011-08-20T21:24:00.002+02:00

We didn´t have internet connection at our last appartment, but now that we arrived at our new accomodation, we have internet again. We have had a busy week, so I will just give a short update.

1. Looking for gold in a small creek; 2. son #1 on the witch ride, which is a small seat connected to a line along the longest suspension bridge of the alps (175 m); 3. The Reiseck bahn, a small train that takes you up the mountain on a 82% inclination; 4. The cross on top of a local mountain where we had a picknick and had to flee for a thunderstorm; 5. a deer we encountered in a wild life park; 6. Son #3 hacking for granates, we found quite a lot of good quality and the kids, and especially me had a great afternoon hacking for granates; 7. a Murmeltier, a local marmot that lives in the Alps, we encountered them twice; 8. Drinking for fresh mountain water on our way to Grosglockner, Austria´s higest mountain; 9. Me and the kids at the Kaiser F. Jozef lookout, overseeing the gletser of the Grosglockner.

Another day at Sinsheim

2011-08-11T20:42:00.004+02:00

This morning we visited the museum again to see the other parts. DH and son #2 also went to the iMax theatre.

I also went from the slide with the boys, 3 times ! They made a slide from one of the planes on top of the roof, and you can take the stairs into the plane and then the slide back down; Great fun.

Then we drove to Augsburg, where we incountered a guy that made fun ballons, so the kids offcourse wanted one.

Had a great German diner and then took a tram back to the hotel, because son #3 is completely obsessed by trains and trams, so he was all happy.

Holiday

2011-08-10T20:24:00.002+02:00

Every year when we drive up to Austria for our skitrip, we pass a museum in Germany; You can see a concord standing next to the highway; So this year we decided to stop in Sinsheim and visit the Auto museum overthere. It is really spectacular. They have an extraordinary collection of oldtimers.

1. Oldtimer; 2. They have amazing big engines; 3. Izetta; 4. Engine in motion, Ruben was mesmerized; 5. Great copper statue of an oldtimer; 6. Steamcrane lifting up engine; 7.Restaurant with planes you can visit; 8. Concord; 9, airplane with slides, great for kids.

There is also a big playground so the kids had a great time. A museum worth visiting.

Sewingmachine broken

2011-08-08T12:40:00.003+02:00

At the momet I wish I still had one of the old machines. For some reason my sewing machine lets go of the tread and I cant get it right so no sewing for me today.
Every time I guide the tread and start sewing, the tread come out of the needle...
Oh well, I will look into it after our holiday. The quilts will have to wait...

Laptop sleeve

2011-08-07T18:57:00.002+02:00

It has been a busy week as my vacation started last friday, so had to finish some things, but now, vacation started and I finished my laptop sleeve.
Until now I didnt have one and I must admit there are some cratches on the lid, so I decided to make myself a crocheted sleeve, and here it is.
The cute pink buttons I found at Hema, a dutch store that also has stores in Belgium. The came in a package with pinks and red polka dots, so the pink onces matched the colors of the sleeve.

I am very please with the result. If you want the tutorial on how to make the African flowers, check out Heidi Bears blog, she has a good tutorial.

Last day

2011-07-28T21:12:00.005+02:00

So I havent been showing waht I was working on, but it was a gift to our au pair so I couldnt because she also looks at my blog. But here it is. The boys made drawings on pieces of white cotton and I also added two pictures so she can see what the boys looked like...

We had our last supper tonight, and she chose witlof in ham, a local dish, and we had ice cream as dessert. He also made a russian specialty, blinis, dont think I spell it correctly, but they are pancakes filled with meat, yummy...

So thank you very much Lidia, and we hope to see you again, here or in Russia. Good bye And we wish you all the best!

Weekend

2011-07-24T19:51:00.003+02:00

We had an uneventful weekend, after a couple of weekends that were very busy, we had a nice and quite weekend. Although quite... the kids were very loud and in a crawling mood, so that was not OK. I tried to finish the binding on my start quilt as you can see on the pic.

Yesterday we went to one of the biggest markets in Antwerp for some vegetables and fruits. We always have a sort of pancake with goatcheese and honey at one of the local Maroccan stands and afterwards the kids get waffles and fruits. And while waiting at one of the stand, DH asked me where son #3 was. One moment ago he was standing next to me and the next he was gone.
We said that the boys had to wait at the stand and DH and I went both in a direction to search, but nothing. And I was just about to call the police when a lady asked if I was looking for a little boy... She saw him playing at the stairs, so I hurried back and saw DH on the way, and luckily there he was at the other end of the market. A gentleman thought it was strange that he was playing unaccompanied, but also didnt know what to do. So my heart started beating again...
Son #3 was not impressed...

Technopolis

2011-07-22T17:59:00.004+02:00

We made a trip to Technopolis, a museum where you can do experiments yourself. They have a display with optical illusions, and even our au pair was amazed.

I was amazed by the pic above. they show a movies with some colors particles falling down. But if you put your arm horizontal, the particles add up on your arm and fall off behind you, as you can see in the pic.

Luckily they also have a part that is for small kids, like a supermarket, a pizzeria, and son #3 likes to make pizzas. But he didnt want to bring them with the small bike.
The kids also have printed money with their face on...

This is a section about animals, and as you can see by son #1 s face, bats hear very well.

When we left, the kids lifted a car... So a day well spent, interesting and great for kids and parents.

New camera

2011-07-17T20:43:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I treated myself with a new camera, the Fujifilm Finepix HS10. It was a bit of a gamble as I alsways have compact camera´s. But this time I wanted a bit more zoom, and as this camera has 30 x optic zoom, I am very impressed with the results.

Today son #3 and I went to visit a friend who has bought a puppy this week, a Cavalier King Charles, her name is Charlotte (Charly) and she is such a cutie. I am not much of a dog person, but this little pup is adorable. Our friend already has two older dogs, and this is the latest addation.

At firts son #3 was not so keen on meeting her, but after some time they were the best of friends and he even fed her.

Wildlife encounter

2011-07-15T14:46:00.004+02:00

I took the kids for lunch and we saw a circus that is visiting our town. We live in a town near Antwerp city and I told the boys that we could have a look at the tigers and elephants, since they made the news when the elephants escaped and were wandering in a corn field nearby.
So as we walked over to the tigers we saw that the giraf was very close to the road, and I know that there is no fence between the field and the raod, so we had a look and the giraf was standing next to the road, so we decided to go back home and get the camera and take a picture.

When we arrived back, a member of the circus staff was with the animal so we took some pictures and son #1 even tried to feed it, but it was not interested, we should have brought some bananas. It made a big impression to stand so close to the animal, wow, there is a big difference if you know that there is no fence in between you and this creature, but this is how memories are built...

Quilts

2011-07-14T19:19:00.003+02:00

Today I went to the craft store to get some batting for two quilts that I am making and found some nice fabrics so I can finish my quilts once I received my cardridges for the printer because I want to print some pictures on fabric.
I found a great link how to print on fabric on Josjes Poppenhuis. I bought the spray glue in the Action and it worked like a charme, but offcourse, my ink was finished... So I ordered some new cardridges and hope to finish the top this weekend.

Son #3 turned 3

2011-07-09T21:25:00.007+02:00

Today son #3 turned 3 and we had a small party for family and friends. He was spoiled rotten with Thomas the engine gifts, trains, blocks, view master, etc...
As he doesn´t like fancy cakes, I baked him a quatre qarts for him with a little train, and we ate the fancy ones... chocolate Mousse cake, biscuit with raspberries, etc... hmmm.

My parents gave hime a small New Holland tractor, and you can see by his smile that he loves it.
Tonight we had a BBQ and now all the guests left and we did a quick clean up, the kids are in bed and peace returned to our home.
Happy birthday son!

Aeroflorale II

2011-07-02T22:14:00.002+02:00

This week an airship landed in Antwerp, the Aeroflorale II and its crew. It is on its way to Greenland, but because of the bad weather last thuesday it landed in Antwerp.
So this morning we had a look with the lids, because rumour goes that it will depart tomorrow.

So this is it, we were to early to see the crew perform experiments on the plants they brought, and I must say I think it is beautifully made, but we had nicer visitors in the past, like the Diver, the elephant and the princess.
Every summer they have something special with performance art, and I think this year is a bit dissapointing, but nevertheless, the construction is nice.

Hottest day

2011-06-29T09:49:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was the hottest day until now, the temperature at our place was 37°C. But because it was so hot during the day, a thunderstorm formed and around 7.30 pm the storm hit Antwerp with these picts as a result. (The pics are taken from GvA).

At our place we also got some water in the houde, but a half bucket at the most, so no problem. And all our trees in the backyard withstood the storm, so nothing happened. But in the city there was a lot of water trouble as you can see.

However, the thunderstorm was beautiful to watch and the kids slept through most of it.

African flower

2011-06-19T19:38:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to show you a picture of what I have been doing the last past weeks. I have been crocheting African Flowers. I wanted to make a bag, but I have decided to make a throw blanket. I like the colors so it will be a blanket for myself... The only downside... it is getting quite heavy.
The weather has been very poor over the weekend, heavy showers, so we stayed indoors mostly, so ideal craft weather.

Weekend

2011-06-13T10:31:00.003+02:00

Yesterdaymorning we went to Planckendaal, a large zoo in Mechelen. As you can see, the kids had a great time.

Ealier that morning a bird flew into the window, nothing new at our place close to a lot of trees, but it happened three times so I had a look and so a young bird. I picked it up to show the kids and then released it in the back garden where I saw a sibling sitting near our back door. That one was smaller and not in such a good shape.

When we returned home in the afternoon, my DH called me and showed me one of the chicks sitting on one of our window sills, as you can see on the pic. His mum and dad were close because I could hear them. But where was the other chick.
I found it, but as I feared it that morning, I got in our pond and it didnt drown but I think it died because it was to exhausted trying to get back out of the slippery banks of the pond. I hope mum and dad will take good care of this chick.
P.S. I dont know the name in english, is it a Jay bird. We call it a Vlaamse Gaai.

Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik

2011-06-05T08:05:00.004+02:00

During the Ascention day weekend, the Steammuseum here in Medemblik has her annual steamfestival and you can take a trip with one of her steamtrams. The tram rides almost the whole year but during the festival actors dressed in clothes from around 1900 are travelling with you, old timers drive next to the trams, as you can see on the pic, to make the experience complete.

When the train stops there is something to see, like these two engines, the big one is used for a harvesting machine, the small on to run a pump.

On one of the stations we saw this little engine called the Ooievaar (stork), and it is unique in the world. I must admit she was a beauty.

And after a hot day in the train; the boys had a go at a small rowing boat garndma and grandpa bought them. And amazingly only one of them fell into the water...

Sprookjeswonderland

2011-06-04T21:21:00.003+02:00

Yesterday we visited Sprookjeswonderland in Enkhuizen. As you can see, the weather was excellent and we had a great time until son#3 got tired and we went home.

Son #2 built his reputation as pirate and they had pancakes for lunch, so everything was A OK...

Even the wait in line was worth it for a trip in the small boats. The smallest one enjoyed evey minute of it.

Sprookjeswonderland a fun day out for the kids.

Zuiderzeemuseum

2011-06-03T21:57:00.002+02:00

On wednesdqy night we went to Medemblik where my PIL´s sailboat is stationed. Yesterday we sailed to Enkhuizen to visit the Zuiderzeemuseum. An open air museum where they built traditional buildings (real ones, the they torn down in all parts of Holland and built up again in the museum).
As you can see, we visited the cheeseshop and bought some yummy old cheese.

Then the boys made a boat out off bad quality wooden shoes. They keep them for the kids to make boats out off, they have holes in the,m or are not suitable to wear. They boys are very proud off their wooden shoes.

And this is us, making ourselves ready to go back to Medemblik. A little girl came this morning to check what kind of pirates were on board, but luckily they are just small pirates...

Schoolfeest

2011-05-29T18:38:00.003+02:00

Today we had the annual party at school. All the kids did a performance so all the parents and grandparents were present.
Son #2 ate a waffle and ... lost his first tooth... And swallowed it, so how are we going to tell the toothfairy.

Even the smallest one had a perormance and did very well as he remembered all the steps... Helas he was standing behind a girl that didnt move so we dont have him on film. But all and all, it was a great day.

Firewoman for a day

2011-05-26T21:25:00.003+02:00

Today we had training at the Firedepartment training center in Ranst, called Campus Vesta. The weather was not favourable for extinghuising fires, but we managed.
We tried several techniques for extinghuising a fire, so it was very useful, even to use at home - hopefully I will never need this in my own home, but if it happens, you better be prepared.

So please make sure you have fire/smoke detection in your house, it can make the difference between life and death. I have no stocks in these devices, but they are really useful and worth every penny.

nine years ago...

2011-05-24T18:34:00.002+02:00

This is DH and me nine years ago...
OK, I admit it, I forgot, DH mailed me three times today with some excuse that we are married for so long, but... and it didn´t hit me until 5 that it is our wedding anniversery today...
Does thi smake me a bad wife??? No just a busy mum trying to cope with everything :-).
And yes, it was freaking cold that day, not as today a nice temperature. The Corvette was top down until 15 minutes before we left for city hall, when it started to rain... just a little explaination why we are wearing are coats.

Paintings

2011-05-24T09:18:00.003+02:00

Every week when I walk to my education center where I have school one day a week, I pass a very small art gallery. I noticed it when I saw this painting. I first thought it was a picture, but when I came closer I saw that it was a painting of a scene I pass every by car when I drive to work. It is the Candico sugar factory where they make sugar and pancake syrup.
A week later, this painting was staninding in the window of the gallery:

It is the bridge I pass every day to work. OK, at the moment it doesn´t look like this because the part we are now looking at is broken and all traffic has to cross on the bridge on the right.
The painter is called Dimirti Desiron and I must admit I like the simplicity of the subjects. The paintings are so recognizable, wow... I would love a painting like that.

Keeping busy

2011-05-22T20:07:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I spent most of the day in bed since I was feeling a bit flu-isch... aching joints, headache, ... So after sleeping for about 40 hours of the last 48 hours, today I felt among the living again.

So I had a go in trying to make an african flower, but no luck so I looked on the net and found a great tutorial at Heidi Bears´ blog. The pic gives you an idea of the result, not too bad for a first go.

The book in the background was a gift from my friend Evelyn, who found it on the net, maybe it is a hint to make her a small quilt, since that is one of the only crafts she doesn´t do herself :-).

Weekend again

2011-05-15T16:45:00.003+02:00

This weekend I went to a fair in Oosterhout, it was a little bit disappointing in size, but the stands that were there were of great quality and a lot of stands sold handmade goodies.
I scored some vintage baking tins. I like the way they look and feel.
The postman also brought some crochet supplies, but it turned out that the color blue I ordered is not the color I was looking for, so I have to find a better shade of blue to make a new project. Oh well, not eveything can be perfect. The pink shades are wonderful, so...

Weekend

2011-05-09T09:41:00.003+02:00

This weekend we were invited to come to the Antwerp Classic Car Event, on the Gerlachekaai in Antwerp.
There were some wonderful cars on display and even the kids enjoyed walking between all the cars.
The pic below was the attactraction, a peugeot from 1911 (I think, I am not sure about the date, but that is what I heared). She is wonderful and in such good shape that she is taking part in the Tour Amical 2011, which started on the event.

Donut maker

2011-05-06T19:11:00.004+02:00

Son #1 just loves donuts, so whenever I see them, I´ll take some home for him, bearring in mind that one day we will visit the states and I will show him a real donut shop. But until that day, we will have to manage with whatever change we get to buy them at a bakkery or supermarket.Since he did his best at school, I found him this donutmaker earlier this week. So this morning we searched for a recepy on the internet at tried it.And according to the master... niet slecht = not bad, but not perfect, so the quest is on for a good donut recepy...

2011-05-06T13:54:00.003+02:00

I saw this had on Pinterest. A site where you can pin you favourite pictures and theri weblinks. I have not figured out if there is a pattern, but I love the had, I love the colors, I love the way it looks.
I like the idea that you can pin your favs somewhere digitally, so I joined the community. Everything you like, crafts, fashion, kids, etc. can be pinned, and some of them have giving me inspiration.
So you can find me on pinterest and see my favs at the moment.

Jan = 1

2011-05-02T21:18:00.001+02:00

Our nephew turned 1 last week and we went to his birthday party. My SIL had this wonderful cupcakes made. They are in teh colors and theme of Jan´s birth announcement. Really pretty.

Congratulations Jan!

WIP

2011-05-01T13:58:00.002+02:00

I promised a pic of my WIP, so here it is, still stitching on the Super Mario pattern. Slowly, but steadily. And now the two other ones also want one...

Easter Monday

2011-04-25T19:56:00.002+02:00

Today we had a nice quite breakfast with Easter ´sandwiches´. The kids thought it was a strange idea that the Bakker forgot the egg in the middle...
Son #2 made some Easter cakes yesterday so they were served today after breakfast. As you can see, the Easter egg cakes were very funny, but also the chick wraps worked great. I bougth them at AH, the first in Belgium, located in Brasschaat, where I come from originally.

This afternoon we spent a relaxed afternoon at a friend´s place who also made cupcakes, so it was a great lazy Monday.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:23:00.001+02:00

New addition to the family

2011-04-23T20:02:00.003+02:00

Today we made a quick visit to my cousin to welcome the newest addition to our family. My cousing gave birth to a beautiful boy. He is doing great but the pediatrician though he was a bit yellow and my cousin wants to take him home, so she agreed to put him under the light for a couple of hours so they can go home tomorrow.
I think the sunglasses are great. Who came up with the idea?

2011-04-21T08:15:00.003+02:00

Saw these and just love them. What a great party gifts. They can be found on Cap creations, inclusding a tutorial. Must make these for a birthday from the boys.

We are having a very nice spring. At the moment they expect 26°C, which is an absolute high, last year we didn´t even have these temperatures in summer. So the kids are playing outside a lot. Maybe we will have BBQ tomorrow.

Crafting

2011-04-19T15:08:00.001+02:00

Not much to blog about. I am frantically cross stitching on my Mario scene, especially since the the three boys want one, so I have to make two other scenes as well. Will make a picture to show my progress.
But I like the picture of the stormtrooper knitting. How ingenious.

Too Gorgeous to eat

2011-04-15T10:55:00.003+02:00

I like the idea of using an old squeeze bottle (e.g. from ketchup) to put pancake batter in the pan, so you can dose it or better, you can draw with it. The pancakes below are, believe it or not, made by drawing with the batter. No, They are not mine, I saw the pic on the net and my boys just love pancakes, but I don´t think they would pancakes like that, they would be too girlie... But I am a girl, and I like them.

I want this...

2011-04-13T08:54:00.002+02:00

Isn´t this is something you would want in your house?
I would, I think it must be neat to get downstairs so quickly and it is cool, isn´t it? And it even looks great in brass. But since we don´t live in a house that make a fireman´s pole possible, I will stay one of those items that are on my ´I want list´.

But then I saw this picture at daddytypes.

OK, this is awesome and my boys would love this. I would love this. I can´t believe that there are craftsmen outthere that come up with ideas like that. Wow. Great stairs.
But helas, again, we have a normal staircase and no room for a spiral one. Where is my list?

2011-04-12T15:21:00.002+02:00

OK, I like to craft, but is this Thinking outside the Box? Would I drive this car? YES, I just love it, is is a statement, this is such a cool car, I thought flames were cool, but this is much cooler.

And how about these, I think they are gorgeous, such nice crochet hooks, they look to good to use.

And this chair is just amazing, I would love to have such a chair to sit next to the fire place and craft... I now we are all waiting for summer and sunshine and BBQ, etc.. But winter has its charm as well, as you can bundle up on such a chair with a quilt and just craft with a nice hot chocolate milk and some sweet treats...

One day... I will make such a chair!

Sunny Sunday

2011-04-10T19:01:00.004+02:00

Our au-pair wanted to see the flower fields in Holland, so today we made a trip to Lisse to see some of the fields. It turned out that most of the tulip fields moved up North and are now near the Harlemmermeer and that around Lisse their are Hyacints. Offcourse we found some tulip fields but not as there used to be.

I also saw this flower field inspired quilt made by Tiny Koppens. And you can recognize the fields so good in this quilt. One day I will make...

Great notebook protection

2011-04-07T20:37:00.004+02:00

This would make such a cool notebook protection. It was made by artist Joana Vasconcelos. She makes all this great crochet art works, just check out her site, wow... Not much else to tell here. It has been exteremely busy with work and study so not much time to do anything else, let alone craft. My WIP is still the Super Mario cross stitch. But I am off now since Grey´s Anatomy starts and it will be my first televsion session of the week. DH is not yeat home from work and the kids are already in bed, so it is ME time.

Relaxed weekend

2011-04-03T17:05:00.002+02:00

Saturday was the first real sunny saturday, temperatures were above 20 degrees Celius so we went to the beach with the kids. They loved it. This is a pic when we just arrived because soon, they were all soaking wet...

The weather was so good that grandpa took son#2 for a ride in the Vett, and as you can see, safety first, son #2 has a helmet with goggles.

Today when we drove back home we decided to make a detour and stop at a local ice cream place where they make fresh icecream and creme fresh frome their own cows. So you can visit the cows after you have your ice cream or wafel with wiped cream... yummie!

I told DH that we should take a vacation on the farm as the kids love the cows.

A weekend well spent, not much time for crafting, have been busy drawing a new cross stitch pattern together with son #1 and 2.

son #2 turned 5

2011-03-27T18:52:00.004+02:00

Yesterday son #2 had his birthday for his friends in Jobland. A great indoor playground for smaller kids. The entertainment is fun and the people do their best to take all the work out of your hands. The kids loved the place and had a great time.

This morning we went to the Zoo, OK teh weather was not great, but we had a nice walk and could see all the improvements they are doing for the new season.

After we came home, the grandparents visited us and offcourse there was cake, but since son #2 doesn´t like cakes and loves wafels, he got some wafels with candles.

And this is what I made for his class tomorrow,since he is in the Bee class, I thought I would make cake pops in the shape of bees. It turned out to be much harder than it looked, especially sine the eadible stift I bought to draw the eyes and mouth didn´t work after one bee.

i hope the kids see bees in them.

Result crochet gettogether

2011-03-26T16:38:00.003+01:00

This is the result of the pattern I made at our crochet gettogether last week. I think little miss cupcake looks cute, doesn´t she?

crochet gettogether

2011-03-20T18:35:00.003+01:00

Today some friends of mine got together to do some serious crocheting. Two friends are new at this and my other friend a vetran.

So I made a quiche and cake for lunch. Hubbie made some pancakes for the kids and off we were, leaving hubbie alone at home. My friend made cupcakes, so there was enough to eat.

It was a great afternoon and hopefully my friends are not giving up and trying this at home as I am typing...

When I arrived home, hubbie was making won tons... OK, they don´t look like the ones that the chinese restaurant but they tasted great.

So this is a go for more.

Conclusion, a wonderful sunny day with great food and wonderful companianship.

crochet course

2011-03-16T07:41:00.003+01:00

Yesterday evening I took a crochet course to learn how to crochet hexagons. But it turned out to be quite easy so I finished early to go home since it was a long day. But it fun to make them and they look great.

I would like to start making a blanket or so, but I have a million UFO´s, so I have to finish first what I am cross stitching at the moment.

First day of school

2011-03-14T20:02:00.004+01:00

Today was son #3 first day at school. He wanted to go to school for a long time, so he was very enthusiastic to go, until he was in the classroom and realised that his brothers were not there...
But I think he still had a great time as we asked if he was going to school again tomorrow and he said yes.

Yesterday evening I made this cake pops, a first attempt I admit but they looked OK I guess. The ball have to be smaller next time and smoother, but they tasted real good. I used the Martha steward recepy for the frosting. And it sure tasted nice, like professional frosting but no additives, great recepy.

Here son #1 is in his classroom presenting the cake pops. He said the kids loved them and wanted more...

So there is no better compliment.

7

2011-03-12T17:59:00.002+01:00

son #1 turned 7 yesterday. We celebrated this joyeous occasion at home with family, and he was spoiled rotten. He wanted Lego so no he has Lego for the whole year.

Today we went bowling with some friends from school and had french fries and chicken nuggets... what more is there in a party at that age, so again wonderful gifts and happy children, so it was an afternoon wel spent.

Bees and other cake pops

2011-03-06T18:16:00.003+01:00

I saw these bee cakepops at Bakerella. She makes these fantastic cake pops and I wanted something different for my boys to take to school. They are only allowed fruit or cakes so this is maybe a way out of the traditional cake.
I ordered supplies at de leukste taartenshop, since they have it all in this part of the world. We are not so spoiled overhere with all these lovely goodies, so this shop is a blessing for me.
I will do a try-out next week when the supplies arrive, so see if they look anything like bees, as son #2 is in the ´Bee´-class. Fo son #1 I have to figure out a theme, because he is in !st grade, they have no themes anymore.