Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Holland Take 2

Our neighbors from home planned a German adventure for their spring break.  They braved an all-night flight with two small children for the opportunity to drive the autobahn, visit a castle, and eat schnitzel.  We took them to our favorite farmer's market for waffles and then walked by the major Frankfurt sites.  Sunday morning, with Emily hacking away in the back seat, we left in separate cars for the Netherlands.  (Dave spent Saturday morning at the pediatrician ensuring no antibiotics were required.)

I thought repeating last year's Easter weekend the perfect trip for four children under age 8.  Unlike most European hotels, the rooms at the NH comfortably fit four people.  We loved breakfast, and a pool always attracts the kids.  Dave and I hoped the warm weather guaranteed tulips.  (Recall last year - not. one. flower.)

By the time we reached the hotel, I feared Emily would lose a lung.  She insisted on going out to dinner.  Of course, we let the 7 year-old make the decision.

Trusty Rick Steve's recommended Delft, a college town adjacent to the Hague, for a quick bite.  Delft is based around two main canals and is home to Vermeer - though none of the 34 paintings attributed to him remain in the city.

 Emily and I decided to take pictures of the colorful houses, which we both loved.









Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Reading Lessons

Most mornings, I don't require an alarm clock.   "Mommy, she hit me."  "Well he threw a block." "She won't stop singing."  Somebody drops to the floor next to my bed.   I am now awake.

Yest sometimes, these two share an unexpected moment.  While I prepared dinner, I heard "Emily, what's this word?"






Thai Cooking Class

While Dave played a 153 holes of golf in Scotland, I took another Thai cooking class.  I adore Wan, my instructor.   This community draws people from all over the world.   We started at the Asian cooking store where we discussed ingredients like fried flour, frozen lime leaves, and bean thread noodles.


We started with Pad Woon Sen (Glass noodle stir-fri).  The noodles are made from beans and are very healthy.  We slices some ginger and talked to the food as went - an important technique according to Wan.


She showed me how to use the stalks of Asian spring onions.


We then made Tom Kha Gai (chicken with coconut milk).


Finally, we cooked the chicken in the fried flour and coconut oil for Kai Med Ma Muang (Chicken with cashew nuts.



Saturday, April 12, 2014

Just Pictures

The kids were busy….


Working on school projects




Playing in fire pits



Building with Legos





Being dramatic



And eating ice cream