A wonderful year

It's probably too late to wish you a Happy, Healthy and Sparkling New Year, but since this is my first blogpost of the year, and I think the time is always right to wish someone 'all the best', I will do it anyway:  
A wonderful year to you all.

The girls and I had a lovely Christmas. What a joy it is to stay in bed late, to have enough time to read a book and do some baking. I made our traditional Christmas Bundt cake, and the girls baked a chocolate mousse tart. They even made their own chocolate leaves. I was SO proud. The tart looked really good and the taste was divine. 

My boyfriend and I made some beautiful walks. One along the river Merwede in Gorinchem, with the trees covered in hoarfrost, the windmill set against the blue sky, on a cold and wind still day. 
When stranded in Dordrecht, because the train wouldn't go any further because of the snow, we walked along the canals and past the harbour. My favourite walk was the one we made along the beach. It was so quiet, the sky and sea seemed to merge, and there was not a ripple on the water.

I hope some more beautiful winter days will follow, before the spring sets in.

Next time I will show you last years garden highlights. Wishing you happy weeks ahead. Before I forget: thank you for your kind Christmas and New Year's wishes. I hope I will find more time to visit your blogs this year.

Love,

Madelief x

If you like, you can see more photo's on Instagram.

Colour your life happy

Last year I invited several  ladies I know through Instagram, for a tea in my garden. One of them was Ella.
Ella and her friends Suus and Lenny own a colourful shop in the town centre of Gouda, called Juffrouw Saartje.
They sell vintage items, toys, cards, porcelain, books and many more products to colour your life happy.

At the party a friend and I promised we would come and see the shop for ourselves. Last week we finally did. You can see the photo's below. Ella and Suus, thank you once again for your warm welcome and the delicious tea.

My friend and I combined our visit with a city walk. We walked along the canals, visited several courtyard houses and the area around the St Janskerks (St Johns church). What an impressive town it is. If you are interested in medieval architecture, there are some fine examples of medieval buildings, like the town hall, to be seen.

The above photo's were partly taken at Altijd, a beautiful vintage and antique shop in the same street as Juffrouw Saartje (Wilhelminastraat). 

For more information, please click on the names of the shops. 

Before I wish you a happy week, I would like to thank you for your sweet comments on last weeks post.  


Love,

Madelief x 

 

Spring vibes

With the soulful voice of the, always smart looking, Leon Bridges in the background, singing 'Pull Away',  I sit behind my laptop, contemplating what to write to you. Leon's voice distracts me.  Love the mellow sound...... It's the perfect music for a lazy Sunday afternoon.  

Just came home from a morning's work in the garden. I am running terribly behind. Lots of chores I still have to do.  I did some heavy work in the front part today (getting rid of a, partly dead, tree), which makes me feel about eighty. It's time to relax now, put my feet up, read a book and listen to some more music.  

Part of today's photo's were taken in Utrecht, a beautiful old town in the middle of my country, which I enjoy visiting: the canals running through the city centre, the many historic buildings and the lively atmosphere.

The amazing black and white graphic dress is a recent vintage find. It's very elegant. I found it in one of my favourite vintage shops in my home town, The Dearhunter vintage. 

The black and white photo's of Dali, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcock were made by Philippe Halsman. I saw a a retrospective of his work in De Kunsthal yesterday, which inspired me. The exhibition is called Astonish me, and it most certainly did.

The remaining photo's were taken in my home. It's covered in flowers. The spring vibe got me :-)

How about you, did you bring spring into your home?    

Wishing you a sun filled week!

Love,

Madelief x