A new crochet project

In my last post I told you I was working on a new crochet project. The colours of the Zinnia's and Dahlia's in my garden and an old painting I found in the thrift store, inspired me to pick up my crochet needle once again. I hope my little project turns out the way I imagine. If not, I am not going to show you ;-)

The little fluted domes you can see on some of the photo's are called 'Cannelés Bordelais'. They are delicious French fancies, made of a sort of pancake like batter. They are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside and totally addictive. I am still working on the perfect shape, so forgive me if they look a bit wobbly.

I received some happy mail this week: the Christmas edition of Victorian Homes magazine with twelve pages of my photo's inside. I am so proud. I added a photo of one of the pages below, so you get an idea how it looks like. The Victorian Homes magazine is available at Barns and Noble and select book stores in the USA. I am not sure if you can buy it in other parts of the world. Sorry!

Thank you once again for leaving comments on my blog. I read them all and appreciate them very much.  I am not always able to visit your blog, but I do try. Sorry, if I haven't popped over lately.

Wishing you a lovely week!



Madelief x 

* I added two photo's of my home town, Rotterdam. The most beautiful and inspiring town there is.

 

Sailing from Rotterdam

Last weekend I visited the World port days in my home town Rotterdam. My daughters and parents joined me. Days like this are a highlight for my father. At seventeen he started working for the Holland America Line (HAL) as a bellboy. Ending his career at sea in his early twenties, after having seen great part of the world. It was a very pretty lady, my mother, who managed to keep him at home in the end :-)

Before my father sailed, he used to have his book stamped in the old building with the green copper turret. For a long time this was the main office of the HAL. Nowadays it's a popular hotel/restaurant, called Hotel New York. My dad still enjoys visiting it.

So when I mentioned the words 'harbour', 'boats', 'Hotel New York', he was enthusiastic straight away! We watched demonstrations by the Royal Navy and life guards, enjoyed the lively atmosphere and walked through Katendrecht, which was once a dubious part of town. Nowadays it's hip and upcoming.  It's the place where you can meet for a cup of tea or coffee, have a delicious meal and buy something old or new. It's quirky. It's old warehouses versus skyscrapers. It's really HOT!

Besides watching the boats, we had lunch at Posse espresso bar, a vintage cafe in one of the old warehouses. After that we bought some freshly baked bread at Jordan's bakery, which you can find at the Fenix Food factory. 

Next time you are looking for a city trip, take Rotterdam in mind. It's worth it! I did an earlier post on Rotterdam and Katendrecht. Please have a look if you would like to see some more photo's.

Have a great week! I am off to Zeeland. A friend, who is from the islands, is going to show me around!

Love,

Madelief x

To dress vintage

A quick in between post to show you my latest vintage finds from the UK. I almost forgot I promised to show you :-). When shopping for vintage clothes in thrift stores in The Netherlands, I rarely find anything, but in the UK I always strike gold. And the prices, oh the prices. The most expensive item in my photo's was only four pounds.That makes a girls heart sing ;-)!

I combined the photo's of my vintage finds with photo's taken at De Dakakker, a rooftop garden in Rotterdam city centre. So you actually get two post in one :-)

You enter the garden through the Schieblock building. Walking the stairs to the top floor is quite a climb, but worth it. On your way up, the building itself and the old photographs and prints catch your eye. The rooftop garden is fun. At De Dakakker they grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. My daughter told me they have a long waiting list of people who would like to do volunteer work. If I did not have the allotment, I would be interested too.

The fruit and veg all look immaculate! I wonder if they have any snails up on the roof? Forgot to ask, ha. ha....:-). You can even have tea or coffee there. It's quite fun! The view of the city centre really good!

By the way, there is a great shop on the ground floor of the Schieblock building too, called Groos, a concept store selling only products by Rotterdam designers. 

Well, that's it for now. I think I will take you to my garden next time, to show you some photo's of a party I had for 21 girls. After that.....holiday!!

Hope it's sunny wherever you are! It is in Rotterdam :-)

Love,

Madelief x