Dutch-Grootmoeder en grootvader English-Grandma and Grandpa

Part two of the previous post is our visit with Sharon and Cal. I have to start out by saying these two are tough!!!! They made the trip and didn't even skip a beat as far as jet lag!!!! When they arrived on Friday we had about enough time for a hug and a sip of Pepsi before I had to leave to pick Olivia up. So, without second thought Grandma jumped on Matt's bike to join me for the 4 mile ride!Which was a great thing because Olivia ran out of the school, threw her bag to me and jumped into grandma's arms!!! It was too sweet! I took a photo but, it was with Sharon's camera. So, the kodak moment will remain a private one! I'll share some other highlights with pictures.....

Olivia and Grandma going through the "goody bag" that Grandma is well known for!!!! This was not just any goody bag though.... It was a suitcase!!! No, seriously A SUITCASE!!!! Pink, too! Olivia definatly wanted to hog G.&G. to herself for the first twenty four hours!!! She felt pretty good about having some of "her" people around!!!!



Walking in the woods near our house. We were trying to recreate a favorite family photo taken eight or nine years ago in northern Minnesota. The difference is the location and the people!!!! Obviously, Holland is different. Olivia is in this one and Jennifer (Matt's Sis) and Tony are not!!!

We made a pot of steamed mussels. Which we have found to be about as close to "Dutch" cuisine as it gets. They turned out well and proved to be a great appetizer. Fun to put the dutch oven in the middle of the table and "dig in!".

A night of Guesstures with the neighbors, Frank and Jose was very silly and fun. Jose and Olivia were a perfect team!!! Grandama took a liking to thaem and they liked the Wilson's too! Enough that they invited them for a goodbye drink at their home on Sunday night. Some authentic Dutch hospitality!!! Perfected with a live music performance by Frank!!!

Grandpa and Olivia making fresh squeezed orange juice from oranges that we bought at the market, yummy!

Olivia warming up with tomato soup and hot cocoa at the watermill cafe, after a very long, cold bike ride to Valkenswaard!!! and then back!!!

Dinner at a Mexican Tapas restaurant in Eindhoven after a full day of shopping.

Olivia with Grandma and Grandpa in Maastricht, where the three of them and Matt spent the day on Saturday after our early return from Paris. The flowers were Olivia's idea to get for me since I had a bum knee and couldn't be with them. She paid for them and carried them around the whole time! Bless her heart, she's still as sweet as pie in July!!!!
The last day of Wilson's visit Sharon and Matt spent shopping and preparing food. Since we weren't sure how long I would be "off my feet" they made sure we were covered in the food department. The other part of our visit was spent in Paris with Anne and Pete. Stay tuned for part three of the Late October Post!!!!! (Maybe done in time to start a mid November!!!!!)

Love to all and God Bless!

Dutch-Maand English-Month

Welcome to Dutch Word of the Month!!!!! Formerly, Dutch Word of the Day however, that proved to be WAAAYYY too much for me! I think a more "do-able" task is Dutch Word of the Week. Sometimes I may not even include a Dutch word!!!!! That being said, do you think I should change my blog name? If I change it to "month", it could be DWOTM- Dutch Words Olivia Teaches Me!!!!!! Okay, so I think the best way to go about this is to just post some photos of this past month with BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS (a term not typically found in my vocabulary!!!) Maybe just a random list of things we've been up to, highlights of our time with Grandma and Grandpa and our trip to Paris to see Anne and Pete. Ready? Set? GO!!!!

This is one of the stops on the"Lichtsroute Eindhoven". They light up a route about 20 kilometers long, that was the route of the American soldiers when they liberated Eindhoven at the end of World War Two.

Olivia's first ice skating lesson. Tuesday afternoons are International lessons, therefore taught in English!!!

The largest market of the week, 500+ booths, is on Saturdays. There is everything from fresh fish to bicycle parts to gourmet olives to socks!!!! You name it! Fruits, vegetables, flowers, fresh baked goods, Holland souveniers, the list goes on....... Sharon and Cal visited the market with us the first Saturday that they were here.

I'd like to introduce you to our neighbors, Frank and Jose, who live across the carport from us. Also, Len, who lives across the street. One Sunday in October we all rode bikes together. They took us to a watermill cafe where you can take a bus to Belgium and canoe back down the canal to the cafe. Although we didn't do the canal trip, we enjoyed biking and having drinks with our new neighbors. We definately plan to canoe this spring. You're welcome to join us!!!!!

Olivia at her second horseback riding lesson...IN THE RAIN!! The children did not mind because when it rains they go into the woods on a trail ride, for shelter, instead of doing riding drills in the arena.(sorry for the poor photo quality, I was desperatly trying to stay under my umbrella!!!)


Olivia and friends at school during a "farewell party" for Mihir, one of her classmates, who is moving home to India. Top to bottom: Olivia, Jillian, Miss Gootnick (U.S.A.), Alma (Sweden), Katja (Finland).
Olivia and her teacher, Sarah Gootnick. This is her first year teaching independently in her own class. She "interned" here at the international school last year. Sarah is from the U.S.


These are REAL!!!!! In Dutch they are called Vliegzwam, English- Fly Agaric. They are called this because originally they were left out in bowls to kill flies. Apparently, the flies would experience a brief period of disorientation!!! Then, MAGICALLY they would fly away..... Aside from the psychadelic fact and fiction, they are very cute and fun to search the forest floor for!

Dutch-goed nieuws English-good news

My mom and I last Christmastime...

My mom can talk!!!!!! As I mentioned a month ago, she was having some tests done because she had not had a voice for three weeks. Now, after eight weeks and MANY tests, specialists and unanswered questions she can speak. This is, amazingly enough, the result of only one "voice therapy" session!!! She was shown how to do some self massage from her jaw down to her collar bone and apparently she was talking after a few minutes! Isn't that wild? I have not spoken to her yet but, am interested to know if it is tension/stress related or what. If that's the case I am surprised she's been able to talk for the last forty years..... You know what I'm sayin?

Thirty years ago.....

Chrissy and I Bigger.

Not so long ago!!!!

THREE LOUD CHEERS FOR VONNIE!!!!!

Check this out!!!

I saw this cool map on Anne's blog so I tried it myself. Can't wait to have Matt do it later. Should we start a poll as to what we think his percentage will be? I'll say 20%.

Dutch-BMW English-BMW

Today is the day we finally get a car of our own!!! We have been driving a rental from ASML since the trip to Amsterdam a while back. Although it's a decent car, it'll be nice to have our own. It's a used BMW, not even sure what year. Matt said they didn't ship this model to the U.S. so, it could even be a fun "souvenier" to bring home!!!! Ha Ha Ha. Olivia's ice skating went well, she was delighted to find out that the entire Tuesday afternoon session is dedicated to students from the RIS (Regional International School). Kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? Regional....International. Anyway, she was concerned that the lesson would be given in Dutch and my assurance was not enough for her. So, when we arrived at the Ice Center, she saw one friend after another and could not believe that they would have "special" lessons, in English, for her and her friends. Too cute!!! However, she did not skate to her full potential as her girly friends are beginners and she did not want to stand out and be seperated into the intermediate group. She'll soon find out that it will be boring to shuffle back and forth across the rink until April while the other children are learning spins and the like. I imagine she'll decide to show 'em what she's got in a week or two. Matt is busy with work and has really slimmed up quick... I guess it's true what thay say about excercise. He starts and ends his day with a 20-25 minute bike ride, even in the rain!!! He's become a true Nederlander. I just had deja vu.... either that or I have already said that in a previous blog. Oh, well that is nothing new. Since we all know that I have a tendency to repeat myself. Just ask Tony! Just ask Tony! Just ask Tony! "Jeez, mom!!! I heard you. You've already said that twelve times!!!" I get it from my Mother. We miss you, Tony!!!:( If any of you see him soon, give him a ton of extra hugs from us!!!!


So, that's all i have for now. Maybe this weekend I'll get to the slideshow. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow.... remember that old commercial about procrastinating to get a college degree? Tomorrow..........
Over and out!

Dutch-bijen steek English-bee sting

Last week on Dutch word of the day.........
Jennifer said that they loved every minute of their Germany trip except that one. "What could it be?" you ask, Stay tuned for this weeks episode of "As My Face Swells". So, We go to Heiko and Barbara's Saturday morning before our trip to a little harbor town called "Great Seal" (not really how it's spelled, but how it sounds). Heiko says "Wanna see my bees?" (in German) so we go back to the bee boxes. Heiko raises bees and thay make honey to sell. Anyhow, we get back to the bee boxes and Heiko lifts off the top...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!! LOUD AND STEADY BUZZ! Thousands of bees. So Matt says, "Jen, you should get a picture of that." Being the inteligent young lady that I am, I stick my head in there with the camera. Next thing I know, bees in my hair!!!! I do not want to appear foolish so, I simply take the picture and calmly say, "There are bees in my hair." Heiko says, while I am gently running my fingers through my hair, "They're not stinging you are..........." before he could finish his sentence a burning fire torch impaled my head and all hell broke loose!!!!! Jumping, Screaming, thrashing both hands through my hair OWWWWWWIE! Then, as quickly as it started, I calmed down. Somebody pulled the stinger out, Barbara the Medicine Woman ran to the weeds, picked some leaves, crushed them up and insisted that I put them on the sting until we could get back to Mutti's for some cream. Barbara also boiled Stinging Nettles into tea for Olivia to drink three times a day for what we thought might be a bladder infection, she was fine after two cups!!! I was impressed.


We spent a couple of hours in "Great Seal" and then Barbara called a friend who has an old windmill on his property that he and the Windmill association have had restored. He graciously welcomed us and not only let us in, but took us on a tour through it. A tour like you would get during a school field trip!!! It was fun and educational. It's not what you know it's who you know!!! Full day..... bee boxes, harbor town, windmills, pig roast, bonfire, beer tent. Thanks to the Schitthelm's for a lovely time.
The best part about the bee sting story is that my face swelled until I could have successfully landed a part on Planet of the Apes, just in time for our meeting at the town hall on Tuesday. At which, of course, we needed our photos taken for our residence permit!
I'll try the photo slideshow later, gotta run to the market. Olivia starts ice skating lessons after school so I need to get my errands done now. Check back later for some photos of the weekend.
Tot Ziens!!

Dutch-rood oog English-red eye

Here are the photos after the exorcism.......

Dutch-Geen Nederlandse heden English-No Dutch today

Too much to tell for a dutch lesson!!!! Okay, so... I only told you about one day of our long weekend. Friday we arrived at 5:30, in time for Tea with Valtraud, Matt's Mutti. (German for Mum which is Dutch for Mom). She asked if I wanted more I said "Kein, Danke." (German for "Geen, Dank U" which is Dutch for "No, thank you.") You see where I am giong with this? Man, talk about confusion!!! Actually, it was kind of funny. Funny like not knowing your head from your _ _ _!!!! Anyhow, tea time turned into witte wijn time (not a typo!) and we had a lovely visit in Valtraud's upstairs apartment. Mya came up to meet Olivia and cozied up between her Oma, Matt and Olivia for a look at a interesting fact book.


Soon, Heiko's wife, Barbara and their daughter Ena came over. Heiko is one of Matt's brothers. They live a stone throw away from the farm. Shortly thereafter Berent, another brother, showed up (there are three brothers). Berent lives in Hanover and only returns to Leezdorf, maybe, once a year. So, it was quite a treat that he came to see us! This is him with his Mutti.


Once they all arrived, Matt and Rolf returned from a pizza run and we all sat around the table together for a bite to eat.
Clockwise from Matt are: Rolf, Berent, Petra, Barbara and Valtraud.


All but the children that is, they were lucky enough to eat in the family room in front of the TV.... German TV, of course!
Right to left are; Mya, Rolf and Petra's daughter; Ena, Heiko and Barbara's daughter; Andre, R. and P's son (who, bythe way, has the BEST dimples I have EVER seen!!!); and our Olivia;)


Then it was off to bed!!!! Gute nacht? Goede nacht? Good night? Is that my head... or my _ _ _ ? ( Jen laughs out loud!) We brought along our tent and camping gear however, the germans insisted we sleep in the house. Rolf and Petra were gracious enough to offer us their room saying, "Nur das beste für den Gast." Which Matt tells me means "Only the best for the guest." For all I know it means,"Two Hundred Fifty Euro's per night!!!!!!" No seriously, they were incredible hosts to have us during such a busy weekend and we loved every minute of it!!!
Well, except that one part............
To be continued.

Dutch-familie bijeenkomst English-family reunion

Goede Middag!!! Here we are again about to embark on another weekend and I still need to tell you all about last weekend! It's a good thing we don't get paid to blog, I'd be scraping pennies. As some of you already know, Matt spent one year after graduating high school as an exchange student in Germany. He lived with the same family the whole year in a village called Leezdorf, in the Ostfriesland region of Germany. The family, Shittenhelm's (yup, it's pronounced the way it spells;)) own and operate a tree farm. Since Matt was there much has changed. Now, their oldest son, Rolf, and his wife Petra, run the business. Matt contacted Rolf by email a couple of weeks ago and he called us to invite us to the farm last weekend. This was the weekend that they have an "autumn festival" at the farm, kind of an open house for customers, friends and family. It was VERY impressive. They had a beer stand, a pig roast, live music (to which Rolf knew all the words to all of the songs, even though they were english, and he doesn't speak english!!!)




Mya won a pony at their "county fair", she was allowed to have it at the party and give pony rides. As you can imagine, Olivia was all about that!!!! The kids danced and played night games, language did not seem to be a barrier at this gathering! Olivia got some special attention from her "cousins" Eena and Mya. Daughters of Matt's host brothers, Heiko and Rolf.




Rolf has landscaped the front of the house into a beautiful display of different cozy gardens, pathways, ponds and streams, statues and trees. For the party he had installed lighting throughout the entire garden, complete with an intimate little bonfire away from the crowd. I have a few good photos I'd like to turn into a slide show. Then, you could see all of the family and the fun we had!!! I'll have to consult with Anne, VP of the Blog Know It All Club, sister of Sue whom I've mentioned before. (Who also happens to be President of the forementioned club!!!) Pehaps I can get a show going like hers, check out her blog at www.bakeryblog@blogspot.com or the Presidential site at www.susanlaustin@blogspot.com. OR if you're really blog savvy, go to my comment page, LEAVE A COMMENT and click on their names. You are sure to see them as they are my two most dedicated bl-isters (blog sisters) get it? Thanks Nicki, for the funny term! Anyhow, here we are TOGETHER in a foreign country earlier this year


Gotta go, more later. Love to all!!!!

Dutch- Gelukkige Verjaardag Vader!!! English- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

Boy, oh boy.... do I wish I was there!!!!! Today is a BIG birthday for my Dad! WE LOVE YOU!!!! We are having a birthday party for you, Dad. Jumbalaya, Chiante, crusty french bread. No dessert, just seconds of the good stuff!!! Can't wait to see you again, we love you. Hope your day is the best, you are!!

Last week's post!!!!

Hallo all! We have had yet another fabulous weekend! Vridag, middag we were invited to a friend of Olivia's for dinner. the same family who invited Olivia to a birthday party. Estelle and Rene have two girls named Zahra and Mya. They are a very interesting couple, very rich with culture and diversity. Estelle is from Nigeria, Rene" is Dutch, they met in the U.S. while studying in St. Louis. Their desire is to settle, someday, in Botswana, Africa nearer to Estelle's roots. It was an evening of great food and conversation...... almost like home. It was so nice to feel like "friends".
Zaterdag we visited the Market in Eindhoven.... a must do for anyone who visits. Much like the Lyndale farmers market, only in Holland!!! We bought fresh fish, oranges, peaches, olives, caramels, SOCKS!! and mums. We also bought tomaats for our burgers that we grilled for our American dinner!!!!
Which, by the way, was one of the best darn burgers I have ever had!!!!! Sunshine, warm weather, real charcoal,,,,Olivia said "where's the beans?" Now I am on a mission to find baked beans!!!

Zondag we decided to go for a walk, not just any walk!!!! Geared up with backpack #1 full of food, drinks and camera and backpack #2 for Olivia's nature journal (her own idea!) and lots of space for treasures along the way, we headed out on a three hour tour. The weather started getting rough, we thought that we were lost, if not for the courage of the fearless crew..... (sing to the tune of Gilligans Island for those of you that didn't already catch on)

No, really for a short while we were a bit lost. We walked for most of the afternoon, stopping for a bite to eat part way through. Beautiful weather, sunny and 70.

More........

Mema asked, "where's Matt?". I did not include any photos of him, just his cool new shoes! So, here he is!!! First with Olivia and` Buckets at the parade. The others were also at the parade. I included a couple of photos of floats we saw. You can click on the pictures to view them larger!
Tot Ziens!