Holiday

A Shopping Weekend

Posted on November 26, 2012November 26, 2012 by ghotiindustries

In the age old, grand tradition of Giftmas, we spent the weekend shopping. After searching fruitlessly for gifts we stopped off in the Bazaar for a bite to eat.

Before heading to Duikelmans for some baking supplies. It’s a pain when what I have brought with me doesn’t fit in my makeshift oven! *pouts*

But I have no trouble finding everything I need,

and a few things I can convince myself I need, in here!

The lights are hung in all the streets, and Amsterdam is becoming fairy town. This bodes well for the opening of the Festival on Lights on Thursday night which I hope to go to!

Conveniently for the lights, darkness is complete by 5pm here, and we’re not yet at solstice!

The pastry shops and confectioners are wringing out everything they can get from the last few weeks of Sinterklaas.

And the local equivalent of Bunnings is about to take a chunk out of my wallet!

How are your end of year preparations coming along?

Silly Season

Posted on November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 by ghotiindustries

Giftmas feels a little off kilter in the the Nederlands. The sign outside the shop in the Bloemenmarkt is counting down the days to the 25th of December. (36 sleeps as at this writing!)

And there seems to be chocolate EVERYWHERE!

But there is also this little guy.

The children here only have to count to the 5th of December. And though I had in fact meant to be at the arrival parade, it completely slipped my mind until we walked into Dam Square to be surrounded by this …

I can tell you now, that when you’re not used to it, seeing so many people, of all ages, in black face … it’s a little uncomfortable, and also a bit confronting.

This guy just looks lecherous!

Something to remember when the story goes that he drags off bad little boys and girls in his burlap sack back to Spain!

But we did some more of our Giftmas shopping, and should be putting it in the post soon to make sure it reaches the other side of the world by Dec 25th. We just have to remember that everyone here does gifts on the 5th, and the 25th is for religion.

Not a bad way to keep them separate really.

In other news, something else will be being posted on Monday …

Have you all been behaving yourselves in the lead up to the end of year countdown?

Happy Koninginnedag!!!

Posted on May 2, 2012May 1, 2012 by ghotiindustries

I know it was a few days ago now, but I thought I’d share a little local colour with you! And that colour, was Orange.

On Queen’s Day every year, everyone gets their orange on and hits the streets to celebrate Queen Beatrix’s Birthday. Though Queen Beatrix was born on 31 January, the holiday is observed on 30 April as it was the birthday of her mother and predecessor, Juliana. (Follow the link above for more information)

We stayed to the Centrum given where we began from and the fact that not only were we on foot, but the entirety of the public transport system was not operational owing to the sheer magnitude of people that converge on the city centre.

I actually wish we’d been closer to Vondel Park and the activities there, or that crossing Amsterdam on foot to get there wasn’t such an epic journey through the crowds.

But we had a LOT of fun watching the party boats on the canals!

I’d love to be on a boat next year! Just ambling our way around waving at everyone. Or dancing our way around the canals.

It was all so loud, and the City such a mess (I have to get used to outdoor urinals I guess) that it was kind of a relief to get home.

You might want to turn the volume down on your speakers before pressing play on the video!

But still, I can say that we have partied our first Queens Day! Happy Koninginnedag everyone!!!

As an interesting side fact, there were 100,000 LESS people in Amsterdam for Queen’s Day than there were last year!

Breaking Routine

Posted on December 31, 2011 by ghotiindustries

Going away for a week can really make you feel better about the world. You know?

In a city that won’t soon forget the last year and a half,

we sat and had coffee next to this little guy after experiencing a 5.8, and then an hour later a 6.0.

For giftmas we were safe, and had family around us. Highlight of my day was holding the 4month old and being the only one who could get him to go to sleep.

By Boxing Day we were on roads surrounded by rolling hills,

dotted with sheep and flowers.

Our aim was for a small French village.

Which we found.

I started a new circular shawl,

we went out on the boat,

there was a dolphin hunt,

fresh blue cod for lunch,

and perfect sunsets.

I hope your holidays are full of family and fun, and that the coming year is easier than the last one.

Happy New Years Eve everyone!

One week ‘til Santa!

Posted on December 18, 2011December 30, 2011 by ghotiindustries

Can you believe it? Where did that come from? And who’d have thought it would happen so quickly!

As I do most years, I have been baking some gifts for people. Both family and work colleagues. The first gift was shared over the weekend. A cute little recipe I picked up in the free xmas cooking magazine from Coles. Vodka Cherries.

750g cherries
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon quill
1 cup of vodka

I began by washing and pitting the cherries,

and sterilising the jars. (You’ll need a 1 litre capacity)

The usual critics made the usual comments.

Combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan you stir it over a low heat without boiling until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil.

Add the cherries vanilla bean, and cinnamon quill (I used pure vanilla essence and ground cinnamon – they were in the pantry) and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the vodka.

You then spoon the cherries into jars and cover with liquid. Seal tightly, and label with the date. They store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

As per the recipe, these cherries are delicious served with ice cream, and a little of the syrup can be added to champagne for a cocktail.

We may have used more than a little. But I can attest that it is also delicious in mineral water! They were a complete success at our luncheon table over the weekend! 😀

I have also for the first time attempted truffles. Balls I can do.

My dipping technique needs work!

I think I’ll try these again next year, and just make some more fudge in the mean time!

To my readers, both the recent and those who have been with me from the start, I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of the cockles of my heart, and if I don’t speak to you in the mean time, have a safe, happy, and wonderful giftmas. May your stockings be full, your relatives be kind, and may Santa be generous!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: