gingermuggins Posted Feb 11, 2008, 2:06 am |
Today is my last day at home. I had some final preparations to do before leaving.
Mum helped me make a sleeping pouch. Then i wanted to make my traveling envelope look more then just a plain white envelope. Mum has a sticker machine that she let me use. I dont think it was a good idea. The stickers stuck to me rather well!!! I then said goodbye to my friends who have kept me company this past week. They are football (aussie rules) bears. The season starts soon so they can't travel around the world. I'm now ready to visit Magicwoman in the Netherlands. I'm very excited and hope to have many many adventures. |
gingermuggins Posted Feb 13, 2008, 12:05 am |
I snuggled down into my cosy travel bag this morning and have left the comforts of my home. I am very excited and scared but i am sure my hosts will be lovely and look after me well.
My first destination is The Netherlands and i'm staying with Magicwoman. Talk to you soon |
magicwoman Posted Feb 22, 2008, 5:14 pm |
Hi Mom
Today I arrived in Holland ,it was a very long trip for me Its so nice here,but a bit windy and rainy. Holland is a cold country in comparison with Australia,so my host is gonna turn up the heat now for me. They talk a very strange language here.Its really funny to hear. I'm gonna take a nap now mummy,cause i'm so tired bye bye Melelauca |
magicwoman Posted Feb 22, 2008, 5:31 pm |
Finally I arrived,the envelop was so dark and cold Now i'm gonna take a nap in my warm and cosy sleeping bag you made for me mummy more photos soon after my nap bye bye meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Feb 23, 2008, 2:11 pm |
Hi mummy
After my long nap yesterday,i'm ready to do things And my host has a visitor this morning,it was her little cousin and she is 3 years old.She really liked me and she said "aaw she is soo cute" Offcourse she wants to play with me oh no..she wrapped me with my own sleeping bag...be careful little girl!! this girl has really fantastic slippers..she had a pair of ladybird dutch cloggies to keep her feet warm that was so cute Wow my host has a real electric guitar I play on it but it was so diffycult to do the view out of the window,cant wait to go outside My host has a surprise for me,she bought some typical dutch candy for me called "drop" The fist one was disgusting,but later on I eat more "dropjes"and then I started to like them,they are very sweet and a bit bitter You should try them to mummy So this was my first morning here in Holland more pictures soon mummy bye bye |
magicwoman Posted Feb 23, 2008, 8:02 pm |
I love eucalyptus,but here in Holland it is not possible that eucalyptus can grow
So after al those Dutch "dropjes" I eat I really want to have some eucalyptus ,but I can find it So my host put me on a dutch tree As you can see there is no leaf on it,thats because it is winter here in Holland My host showed me her moped,it really looked like a motorcycle but it isnt.It is really a moped.And ofcouse she invites me for a ride My host is trying to talk english to me and espially the australian dialect It feels like home,but her dialect sounds ridiculous I really laughed about it Its really nice to be here Bye Bye mum Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Feb 24, 2008, 2:00 pm |
Hi mum
Tomorrow my host Marije has made a delicious breakfast for me.It was a "beschuitje"in English translated as "biscuit rusk"with "Hagelslag"it is a Dutch sandwitch filling,and it are chocolate sprinkels it was delicious,but she had to much butter on it so now i am a bit nauseous I've met some new friends here,it were all toys who lives here,and offcourse they heard about me,some new Australian guest who has arrived here Marije had introduced me to them,and as you can see we had a lot of fun those 2 dogs they were funny,and the bear was very caring and friendly.The ponies are girls and they think they are beautiful wich they are,but they are a bit haughty to More photos soon bye bye mummy |
magicwoman Posted Feb 25, 2008, 5:28 pm |
Hi mum
Yesterday Marije take me out for a walk it was very sunny for the winter and she showed me some nice places This is an old factory,it was a factory back in de 60s.Nowaday it is an old building.But it is beautiful,but it is a bit deteriorate.This building is build in 1904,but they gonna demolished it soon Here o i'm sitting at a Dutch level crossing. I'm gonna explain what the sign says When the train comes you hear a sound and the red light is flashing,then you know that the train is approaching and you have to stop for it,also the barriers are coming down The sign said,"Please wait until the red light is out,it is possible that there is approaching another train" another beautiful building Waiting at the bus in a Dutch bus stop [ A Dutch Mill unfortunately the picture is a bit shaky but this was the sign that belongs to the mill The mills name is "keetmolen" it is build in 1750 eating a dutch "frikandel"it is a typical Dutch meatroll,with mayonnaise It was delicious at least I was drinking a nice cup of tea in de local bar I had a great weekend mummy I miss you more updates soon Meleleuca |
gingermuggins Posted Feb 27, 2008, 6:39 am |
Hello Meleleuca
I'm so happy to see you are having a fun time with Marije. It really is different from your home in the gum tree! I look forward to seeing more lovely photos from you. Travel Safe. Mum xx |
magicwoman Posted Feb 27, 2008, 1:53 pm |
Hi mum
Good to read a message from you mummy Today Marije brought me to her old house,were she lived for 10 years,it was a farmhouse,but she moved to another house in 2006.Her dad has an office there to,but the office doesent exist anymore.There is only a small office left for her uncle who lived there and he can work there. pick up the phone at the office and write something down outside this is grassland it belongs to the farmhouse,you can see how flat is in Holland no hills or mountains unfortunately there are no Dutch cows on the grass land Bye Bye , more updates soon |
magicwoman Posted Feb 29, 2008, 5:06 pm |
Hi Mum
Today a new Toyvoyager arrived at Marije her house,I was so exciting,I wanted to know what kind of Tv it was So I cant wait This is me waiting for the new TV Please hurry Marije I cant wait to see her/him finally Marije opened the envelop and it is.... PEBBELS a green TV from Sweden yeaa I got a mate this is us togheter,Pebbels is really frienldy but she talked a strange language,it is Swedish I have to teach her English,cause I dont understand her We are gonna have a great time here just the two of us bye bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 1, 2008, 1:19 pm |
I decided I helped Marije to cook a meal
And offcourse I'll eat some from it to i was stirring the peanut sauce,it is a sauce made from peanuts en the Dutch people eat it ,it looks disgusting here this was the result a plate with fries,mayonaisse,peanut sauce and onions it looks yak but is was yummi bye bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 2, 2008, 2:55 pm |
Hi mum
We had so much fun today,cause I was riding a bycycle togheter with Pebbels,it was great. Here i am ,it was a bit diffidult to to it and a picture with me and the beautiful lady stattue bye bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 4, 2008, 6:26 pm |
Today we had really bad weather in Holland
It was so cold and rainy and windy,that we couldnt do thing so we watch the rain out of the window And I watched a dutch TV show called "RTL Boulevard"it is a Dutch gossip program I forgot to tell you mum,Marije has take me out last sunday and we went to a beautiful Dutch church here is the picture Bye Bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 6, 2008, 8:44 pm |
Hi mum
Today we drinked tea with our dutch friends (they one i've met)it was the dog and they nice bear I drinked tea with.They also had chocolate easter eggs we also played a games,with dices but unforunately I lose Bye Bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 8, 2008, 3:43 pm |
Hi mum
today i visited a Dutch castle in Holland,in a town called "waardenburg" This castle gives me the creeps a bit,I'll tell you why cause they said that there are living ghosts in that castle,creepy ghosts are hanging around there . There is a story that they bother the visitors there.I hope this story isnt true offcourse but you never know. Also we visited a dutch mill in the same village The grind wheat there back in the middle ages for making bread,it was really interesting this is the mill were the made bread a Dutch land scape inside the castle a book ,the sign on the left corner says "no smoking" another room in the castle,and no ghosts around here You can see the mill on the backside bye bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 11, 2008, 5:27 pm |
Hi mum
today a new toyvoyager arrived at marije her house And I was very curious to see him/her first we (pebbels and I) hear a little squeak,in the enveloppe. What was it,that was the question,and we really wanted to know Was it a bird,was it a Plane?? NOOO It was Fluffy,a little yellow chicken from Austria and we are friends allready bye bye Meleleuca |
magicwoman Posted Mar 14, 2008, 11:33 am |
Hi mum
Today is my last day here with Marije,tomorrow i'm going to Eryah in Alkmaar The Netherlands I'm gonna miss it here ,and ive met some good friends here Pebbels and Fluffy Marije and me had a great time,I loved the mills here in Ede,and eating the frikandellen I'm gonna miss it here,but i'm very exciting to visit Eryah now. Tomorrow Marije brings me to Eryah personal,so I dont have to go in a dark enveloppe.Marije knows Eryah and they became friends a picture with me and Pebbels giving each other a good bye hug and fluffy gives me a good bye hug to Bye Bye Pebbels,Fluffy and Magicwoman Thank you for everything and thanx for having a great time in Ede Bye Bye Ede,Hello Alkmaar Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 15, 2008, 5:44 pm |
Hello!
Today i arrived in Alkmaar the Netherlands! Magicwoman and i travelled by train to Alkmaar. It was a short trip and so much better than travelling in an envelope. When i arrived i was a little bit shy but after a few minutes that was over. I met a lot of new TV's today! Lejow was also here so we were with a lot of people and TV's! This are Chompers, Nelly, Palmeke, Fluffy, Emil, Pebless and I. After the introducing and group picture we had a drink. Magicwoman wanted to pierce her nose so we went to the city of Alkmaar. We drove to it in a BMW. They let me drive a little bit and it was so great! On our way to the city i saw some mills! After a great day we brought Magicwoman to the train because she was leaving to her home. Eva took us with her in her bag We said goodbye and hugged each other for a long long time. Lejow left us later because she travelled with her own car. After everybody was gone i had the time to meet the TV's who are with Eva now better. This are Nelly and Palmeke We played some funny games they discover before i was here like fitting in the house of the rabbit and guiena pig who live here. I think i'm gonna have a great time here! More pictures later because Lejow made them Big hugs from me |
Eryah Posted Mar 16, 2008, 4:57 pm |
Hello!
Because of the busy day yesterday we decided to stay home. That gave me the opportunity to met the pets here. This is Luna. Normally she is scared of everyone except Eva. So we were all very amazed she didn't run of the chair when i came to her. We chat for a little while with each other and she said to me she wasn't scared of me because i look nice and do no harm to her. She's right with that. When you get to know her better she is really a sweet cat. This is Isis. As you can see she is fluffy so you want to hug her the whole time. But for her kind she is old so she sleep most of the time or eat something. I really love her. I know it looks like she is mad but she isn't at all! This is Mammoet. He is a real nice guy. The others bullied me and said he bites but they were joking because if there is one thing Mammoet wouldn't do than it's bite you. This is Merlijn. He is a newbe here. He make funny sounds all day like chirp and whistle. Eva told me he does that because he want attention or because he is hungry. This is Dharma. I whipered in his ear that if i could i take him every where with me. He is so small! But when he's awake you have to beware because he want to play with you and althought he doesn't mean it bad he bites you and his teeth are very sharp. Here i am with Isis and Dharma. They both want to drink at the same time so they make al kinds of sounds to each other but in the end they gave up and drink togheter. I made new friends today! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 16, 2008, 8:17 pm |
Hello!
Today we had a quiet day to rest a little bit from yesterday. I met the pets as you can see in the update before this one and Palmeke and Nelly stay in bed al day long. I think i'm addicted to candy and chocolat... We sing to Eva: we want candy, we want candy. Eva told us that we can't eat it all day and we have to eat something with less sugar in it. So okay, i can imagine that but she made something that looked strange for us. It's a cracker with cheese, onions, mayonnaise and herbs. But it taste delicious! Now we are whaiting for Lost comes on the television. Eva is addicted to that Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 17, 2008, 5:01 pm |
Hello!
Today was the last day Nelly is here. Tomorrow he's going to the next host. Eva bought cookies for us because he is leaving. It were biscuits with chocolate mills on it. I sneaky take a bit of it... Nelly asked us if we wanna help him cook his last meal. Off course we wanted that! He wants a vegetarian burger because Eva eat vegetarian food a lot and he loves it now! This is the result. After dinner Nelly want to practice if he still fits in the envelope. He was worried about that because of al the candy this weekend. It fits!!! Now we are saying goodbye to each other. Althought i didn't know him for a long time i'm gonna miss him a lot. Bye bye Nelly and maybe we'll meet again! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 17, 2008, 7:27 pm |
Hello!
Lejow gave me the pictures of the TV meeting. When is see the pictures i get a big smile on my face. I think i'm never gonna forget this day. Here i am on my way to the city of Alkmaar. Look my hair in the wind hihi And here i am playing with Dharma. I asked Eva to hold me tight because i'm a little bit scared of his teeth! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 18, 2008, 2:06 pm |
Hello!
First we picked up Eva her son today from the playgroup. After that we brought Nelly to the post office and said our last goodbyes. Mirdin (Eva her son) was the one who choose what we are gonna do today. He wants to go to the animal farm. We were all very happy with his choice because we get to see funny animals! When we got there we run to the farm. The first animal i see was a beautifull deer. I also saw chickens, donkeys and little baby goats. They were all very sweet and i enjoyed every moment today. I care a lot of animals. Unfortunally for me the animals were behind a gate so we couldn't get to close with them but luckely the animals come to us so we can see them and touch them. If it's not gonna rain today Eva is going to learn me ride on a bike! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 18, 2008, 9:08 pm |
Hello!
I ride on a bike today! It was scary! But i also love to do it! Fortunate for me the bike has wheels on the frame. So i kept well in balance. Look at me mum! When i'm home a want a bike for myself. You feel the wind and you can go fast if you want. I notice that in Holland they do not wear helmets for your safety. Everybody here rides on a bike and the people learn it to there children almost before they can walk. I looked my eyes out. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 19, 2008, 7:21 pm |
Hello!
Today i went with Eva to the hospital. Because of her illnes she have to go to it every two weeks. It was a beautifull building but in the hospital i saw a lot of sick people. That was really hard to see. After that we went to the petshop to buy a cage for the rabbit and guinea pig for outdoors. Hopefully the weather is getting better so they can actually live in it. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 20, 2008, 6:21 pm |
Hello!
Today a new TV arrived. Palmeke and i were very curious who can be in that envelope. We speculate what it was: a monkey, a rabbit, a mousse... but it was a bear! This bear wasn't scared at all to come out. She immediatelly stuck her head out of the envelope When she came out we talked for hours about our goals and what we did here allready. It was so nice to meet her! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 21, 2008, 1:29 pm |
Hello!
The weather report predict thunderstorm today and hailstones. Suddenly it became dark here so i was whaiting for that kind of weather I expect everything except snow, so it was a big suprise when i saw snow falling from the sky! Before i can blink with my eyes everything was white except for the ground. I think the ground is still to warm and wet because of the rain yesterday. Eva took us to the garden to sit in the snow. How great is that! This is so much better than thunderstorm and hailstones. Big hugs Meleleuca |
gingermuggins Posted Mar 21, 2008, 10:03 pm |
Hello Meleleuca!
I was so happy when i read your latest update. You are a very lucky koala to see snow!! I have only ever seen it once and i had to go to Germany to see it lol. Enjoy the snow for aslong as it stays and keep warm. Hugs to you and Eva Mommy |
Eryah Posted Mar 22, 2008, 4:44 pm |
Hello mom!
Unfortunnaly the snow was gone after a few hours yesterday. But they predict snow for tomorrow so maybe i can play in it again! Today we went to Den Helder to visit Eva her grandma. Den Helder has ever started with the arising of Huisduinen, a whaler village. Gradually it developed into Den Helder which we know now. A city which was built within the linies of the forten. Later formed a number of districts there around. The space between the different town parts is characteristic. Den Helder is a city with a strongly maritime screen. Sea-going, the rescue being, the offshore and the royal Navy natural. The Navy has stipulated many years' the image of Den Helder. But the Navy shrank in, Den Helder threatened to become a city with no face. By nourishing the culturehistory , the tales of the seaman and with that the coherent heroiek Den Helder has rediscovered its own core values. Eva told me this while i was watching the ship-building yard. You can see the bouldings of it on my right hand. Here you can see the dikes and this is also the road that leads you to the boat that brings you to the island Texel. Here you got the water tower of Den Helder. This is the sculpture of freedom Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 22, 2008, 6:39 pm |
Hello!
A new TV arrived today. We came home from Den Helder and while we were eating the doorbell rang. It was the mail man. We saw a big envelope. What could be in it? It is a big yellow mouse! His name is Marcello. He hasn't eat so we all decided to give him a slize of our pizza. After dinner we sit together at the couch and talk about everything. It's great to have an other friend here! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 23, 2008, 3:20 pm |
Hello!
Today we had a white easter! How great is that? After that we went to Bergen to see animals. A terrible accident happened there. Marcello wants to get on a picture with a ostrich. We all didn't know this was gonna be his last minute with us. Suddenly the ostrich took Marcello out of Eva her hand. We tried everything to get him back but it was to late. He died bravely. Rest in peace little Marcello mousse! This is the ostrich that took Marcello from us: Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 23, 2008, 7:56 pm |
Hello!
After we get over our big lost we went to the Ruinechurch in Bergen. This picturesque ruin church in Bergen once was the biggest church in Noord-Holland. From the 16th century church there is only a ruin left now, because the Beggars started a fire here. Only the choir of the church was rebuilt, so from the original church you can now only see the ruins. In the village Bergen in Noord-Holland there are many beautiful old houses situated around the old village church. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 24, 2008, 6:37 pm |
Hello!
Today we went to the woods to enjoy the nature and play hide and seek. Palmeke was the first who hide himself. We searched for hours. At the end he get a little bit compassionnate with the us and called us. We found him soon after that. After Palmeke Snowy was the one who had to hide himself. We searched everywhere but finnaly Mirdin found him. He was clever because he hide in the same tree I hide also in the same tree but this time they were prepared for that and found me in 10 minutes. But i couldn't find an other good spot. We had so much fun! It was beautifull in the woods. When we got home Eva asked us if we want to help her. We asked her what she want from us. But is was a fun idea! She want to paint eggs with us. This is the result: Eva had another suprise for us. She hide a chocolate egg for each one of us. I found one in the budha I had a great easter day! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 25, 2008, 9:01 pm |
Hello!
Today Eva have bought clay for us. We made a green elephant of it. I think the result is great! Cool elephant don't you think Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 27, 2008, 7:08 pm |
Hello!
Today we decided to watch this house closely what we can do here. Firstly we find a coffeemachine and make delicious coffee After that i made music for the others. I am really a supertalent! The others had tears in their eyes because it was so beautifull We wanna laugh after that and watch King of queens with dutch subtitles. It was so funny! We really wanna do something active after the coffee, music and watch tv so we played hide and seek. Can you spot me? We found a magazine called Mijn geheim. If you translate is it called my secret. People who have a big secret can tell it here and nobody knows who you are. We read the most shocking stories about cheating but also sweet stories about people who find their great love. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 28, 2008, 7:23 pm |
Hello!
Do i need to say more? Mirdin got his hair cut but he was a little bit nervous so as reward Eva her ex husband took us all to the Mac Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 29, 2008, 3:57 pm |
Hello!
Today we got a little bit bored so we went on a search in the house. Snowy and Palmeke found some real nice gnomes and asked them what we could do. I asked it to a real nice lady. The gnomes and lady told us that if we want we can go to a whole other world. We didn't understand what they are meaning with that so we wanna know more about that. They all pointed to a spot in the room. Are they joking?? They pointed at a book-case. We decided to go in the book-case because maybe it had a secret door or something. We tried to find it but it didn't worked. We still had no idea were to find that other world. We watched all the books and found many books of Stephen King. We decided that we wanna read something but Stephen King is to scary for us with his stories about good and evil and clowns who do nasty things with childrens. Suddenly we understand what the gnomes and lady try to tell us. When you read a book your in a whole other world! Thank you dear gnomes and nice lady! Here we are reading about Appie. When Eva was a child she read this books all the time. They are very old and you can't find them anymore in the stores. Maybe in a store were they sell old books. So now we are in a world about Appie. When you read his stories it's almost as if you are with him and his friends. Hoe great is that? Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Mar 30, 2008, 4:45 pm |
Hello!
Today we went to Alkmaarderhout. This park is a part of an old forest with many old trees. You will find an animal farm and the prison. First we feed the ducks. While we were feeding the ducks two beautifull black swans come our way. They made such magical sounds. Their were a lot of other funny animals. Unfortunately the animal farm wasn't open so we couldn't get in but we can see and feed the animals from behind the gate. This goats really want some bread. Mirdin showed us how to feed a deer. We were all a little bit scared that a deer bite in our fingers. We also see the jail. It is called 'Schutterswei'. This prison is for men. The prison for women is in Heerhugowaard. That's a town near Alkmaar. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 2, 2008, 5:38 pm |
Hello!
Today we went to the shopping centre in Heerhugowaard, a town near Alkmaar. Here we arrived at the parking place The shopping centre called Middenwaard and is covered You can find many shops here Eva can really shop a lot! I didn't feel my feet anymore so Eva offered to carry me in her bag. Here you can see the plaza with the council-house and a funny spot were weather gushed out of the ground. You didn't see it clear on the picture unfortunally When we finnaly got home we decided to make a nice meal for everyone. Can you allready see what is it? It's a delicious bread with pizza toppings in it Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 4, 2008, 7:56 pm |
Hello!
The love of cooking is rising! The last time was so much fun that we decided to do it again. We search at internet for a formula. We found one that sounds great. Our first step was make the tomatoes (tomaten) hollow The next step was putting cheese (kaas) in it After that we cookes egs (eieren) and spinach (spinazie) This was our delicious result: We went to the woods of Bergen again after dinner. We really love the woods now. It's very calm there and you can find such beautifull trees to climb in. Look at this great view: Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 5, 2008, 1:35 pm |
Hello!
Today we asked Eva to show us two typical dutch sites. We start with a mill. Here i am in front of the Molen van Piet. Actually it called Molen de Groot but the family Piet lives here for a lot of years so it became the Molen van Piet. This is the last mill you can find in the town centre. After that we went to a coffeeshop. It was pretty exciting to see this. I didn't smoke, don't worry, because i was a little bit scared of it. Eva told us you get a strange feeling when you do this. When we took the pictures we start walking back to the car but a man stormed out of the coffeeshop and start screaming to us why the **** we were making pictures of him. Luckely Eva was calm and explain to the man why we did it. He said some nasty things and walked back into the coffeeshop. We were all very glad we didn't smoke, because if this is the result... After that we wanna do something with less risk. We went to the Big church in Alkmaar. During building the largest medieval church in Alkmaar, the church was already called the big church, because of its size. The big church is not only the largest and highest church in Alkmaar, but also the church which trough the centuries, stood most and called the jewel of the city. Originally the church was dedicated to Saint Laurens. That’s why, for centuries, the church is called The Saint Laurenschurch. The church was probably designed by architect Anthonius Keldermans (Belgium) (1440-1512) Beside Anthonius Keldermans brother, also his son was involved in the disign of the church, in which 26 freestanding columns support the roof. The Saint Laurens church is a basilica, The outside walls rest on a fundation which is just below the ground. Built in the Brabant’s gothic style, which is bigger and more massive in its form than the French gothic. The building is 35 meters high and has a cross length of 85x56 meters. The outside walls rest on a one meter broad foundation which is just below thethe ground, and gradually becomes broader to a depth of tree meters. The last resauration of in-and exterieur was accomplished in 1996. The large saint Laurens church counts two, world famous organs: Van Covelens organ (also called choir organ) and it VanHagerbeer/Schnitger or large organ. The choir organ descends from 1511 and has been placed against the northern wall of the church. The last restoration of this old, still playable, organ in the Netherlands, was completed in the year 2000. In 1636 arose the idea for the construction of a large organ in the church. Several organ builders have worked on it, but in 1645 Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer completed the large organ. Jacob Van Campen devised the organ cupboard and in 1643 Caesar Van Everdingen got the task to paint the doors of the organ cupboard with the ‘triomfe van den Coninck Saul’. This painting belongs to his first large work. Above the organ the painter Romeyn de Hooghe painted in baroque striking, (‘de deugd, die de ondeugd verplettert’)" virtue crushing the vice". From 1723 up to 1725 the large organ was restored and extended by Frans Caspar Schnitger. In course of time there have been several restorations on this organ. After that we watched the St. Joseph Church in Alkmaar. This church was put in use in 1910. Designed by famous church builders and students of PJH Cuypers, the Margry brothers. The church is built in neo-gothic style, which shows by the way the towers are placed and by the arched roofs. The church is placed beautifully and is in possession of wonderful stained glass windows. The statue of Christ has been placed in 1948, in memory of Alkmaar war-victims. Their names are placed on a memorial plaque on the churches wall. Because of all the siteseeing we get hungry. Eva took us to the Burger King! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 5, 2008, 5:51 pm |
Hello!
Here i am again. A new TV arrived this evening. We were sitting on the couch wondering who can be in that envelop. Suddenly the TV kicked his helmet out the envelop. We were frightened to death! But he didn't mean to scare us so he jumped out of the envelope to comfort us. His name is Iggy-Korn He's such a funny guy! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 6, 2008, 3:48 pm |
Hello!
Today we went to 'Het Geestmerambacht'. The recreation area Geestmerambacht, which lies at north of Alkmaar, offers all kinds of possibilities for recreation in natural surroundings. There's a nature area and a big lake and many many more, but we want to see the lake. Unfortunate it was to cold to swim in the lake otherwise i did it immediatelly! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 7, 2008, 4:50 pm |
Hello!
A new TV arrived today. This time we were a little bit nervous because of Iggy-Korn his enter. But a sweet girl came out of the envelope so our fear wasn't necessary at all. This is Lillebi I think we gonna have a great time togheter! Bigs hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 9, 2008, 5:28 pm |
Hello!
Today was the first sunny day we had in months here in the Netherlands so there's only one thing we really have to do: get a tan! At the end of this week they predict rain again so this was our change. Hopefully tomorrow we can enjoy the sun again. Big hugs Meleleuca |
Eryah Posted Apr 10, 2008, 6:16 pm |
Hello!
Tonight is my last evening here in Alkmaar. I'm going to Lejow tomorrow. I allready met her at the big TV meeting so i'm not nervous at all. I decided to say goodbye to everyone today so i won't have to cry tomorrow. I had a great time here in Alkmaar! I see so much and did such funny things. Palmeke and Snowy are also leaving tomorrow so Eva decide to made us a typical dutch snack as meal. She made patat, kroketten and kaassoufle. It was delicious! I hope i arrive in Poeldijk soon. I keep you posted! Big hugs Meleleuca |
gingermuggins Posted Apr 10, 2008, 10:28 pm |
Hello Meleleuca
You certainly have had a wonderful time with Eryah. I enjoy seeing your photos and am happy for you. Please give Eryah an extra hug from me to say thank you for having you in her home. Have fun at Lejow's home. You have been in the Netherlands for so long now, maybe you can call it your 2nd home Take care, hear from you soon. xx Mommy xx |
Eryah Posted Apr 11, 2008, 12:29 pm |
Suprise!!!
Today Eva took me to the cheesemarket as a goodbye gift. This is such a great way to say goodbye! The moment you read this i'm at the postoffice. Poeldijk here i come! Big hugs Meleleuca |
Lejow Posted Apr 13, 2008, 3:50 pm |
Hello!!
Today was full of surprises After a really really short trip i arrived at Lejows house, I was a little shy.. wich TV's were waiting for me? But when I came out I saw a lottt of faces, Bene, Tony and Chompers were allready there Next, Lejow told us that we were going to Scheveningen! To the beach! Beacause it was such nice weather! We saw so much First we went in a souvenir shop: Then she showed us the Kurhaus, it is one of the most beautifullest, biggest, nicest, expensive Hotels of the Netherlands, because it is right at the beach We went on 'The pier' that is a long big thing you can walk on, that lays in the sea. So the view is marvolous! And then.. that was so cool! At the end of the Pier, someone went Bungee Jumping!! He jumped right when we are watching! Hug Meleleuca and Lejow |
Lejow Posted Apr 16, 2008, 4:56 pm |
Hello!
Today we had to say goodbye to two TV's. Bene and Chompers are going to their next host. As a goodbye game, we played Monopoly. Chompers won.. I hope he didn't cheet But then the bell ring! A big envelope came in.. what was it ?? a new tv?? Lejow made it open.. and there was Sylphide! We had a last talk and hugged each other and then it was time for Bene and Chompers to go Bye, have a nice trip! Hug Meleleuca and Lejow |
Lejow Posted Apr 20, 2008, 8:56 pm |
Hello mum!
What a big surprise, today when we came out of bed.. The sun was FINALLY shining!! And not even a little, no no the sun was shining so much and so warm!! We immidiatly went in the car to go to the Beach, we went to Kijkduin! We went walking and sitting on the pier, it was a little scary because the water came a little closer every minute! When it came to close, we decided to go sit on the beach.. Did I get a little tan? We even made cookies of sand!! Then it was time to go home. Lejow wanted to make Roti today, a typical dish from Surinam, wich Lejows loves very very much. It is hard to cook, with al the herbs and stuff.. It is a dish with the roti (pancake like food), chicken, unions, potatoes, and long beans. So she followed the recepie and here we went.. chicken potatoes DINNERRRR TIMMEEE It tasted very nice, but the taste wasn't even close to the real roti made by Surinam people Maybe next time.. she just has to practise I think haha! As you can see in the picture we ate at the balkony, it was such nice weather. We enjoyed the sun Unfortunate the weekend is over allready, and it is time for us to sleep now Hug Meleleuca and Lejow |
Lejow Posted Apr 25, 2008, 4:12 pm |
Hello!!
Unfortunate Lejow has the flu So we stayed inside the last couple of days! Lejow is a big fan of Greys Anatomy (a serie on tv about people who work in a hospital), she had a lot of time to watch it now!! And because she still has a lot to do for her school, I decided to help her! Boy.. that Dutch language is difficult! Hug Mele and Lejow |
Lejow Posted Apr 28, 2008, 7:31 pm |
Hello!
This weekend Lejow finally was feeling better, so she went to see her boyfriend in Rotterdam. She let me drive the car! I was tired of the ride, so we went to sleep in the bed of Lejows boyfriend Sunday, we went to The Hague, to see the Binnenhof, were al the ministers are working and discussing and stuf. It is a big beautiful building, with a lot of towers. And in each tower a Minister is Working In the biggest tower (not on the pictures) Minster Balkenende is working, he is the most important one! He kinda runns the Netherlands, together with our Queen. And this is the 'Ridderzaal', every year on the third tuesday of September, its 'Prinsjesdag' the Queen reads then the 'Troonrede'. It says were al the money has gone to past year, and how they going to do it next year. It's an important speach This day.. Lejow had a Suprise for us.. She was not totally beter, but well enough to buy a NINTENDO WII!!!! So we went to the store, and everywhere its sold out, but in one store, they had one for us!! We immediatly bought a game with it, and lejow let us play! It is sooo cool, but you become tired so fast, you have to move your whole body! Now Lejow is going to play further so I'm going to watch! Hug Mele and Lejow |
Lejow Posted May 2, 2008, 10:19 pm |
Hello!
I am having a great time over here!! Wednesday the 30th of april we celebrated Queens Day. It's a national day and we celebrate the queens birthday. Only not of the queen at this moment, Queen Beatrix, but from her mother, Queen Julana. When Beatrix became Queen, the date of Queensday stayed the same. Everyone (ok almost everyone) weares something orange this day, thats the national color of the Netherlands We watched the Queen on the Television Cool oranje stuff don't you think? Thursday we went to Eryah in Alkmaar, it was a long drive. I loved to see her again, she had missed me But when we came there it was a lovely weather, so all of us (look how many!!) went sitting and lying down in the sun I've met Iggykorn, Lillebi, Davy and Willy Wau and I saw Bene again!!! Hug Mele and Lejow |
Lejow Posted May 6, 2008, 2:04 pm |
Hello again!
This week Tony went to the next host and a new TV arrived, when we opened the envelope, not one, but two TV's came out!! They are Hottie and Nottie, just married !!! Today it is may 4th. A very special day for the Netherlands. At the 5th of may, 63 years ago, the World War II ended.. And today is the day that everybody in Holland rembers the people that had died in that War. Not only the people, but also all the soldiers that served our country. On every TV station, round a quarter before 8, the remembrance of the death begin. In Amsterdam, on the Dam, the Queen (Beatrix) and her Son (Prince Willem Alexander) put down flowers as a remembrence of the people who died. Look at all the people who came and see it At exactly 8 o clock, everybody (ok at least a lot of people) have two minutes sillence, to let everybody know it is 8 a clock, someone plays a special song on a trumpet. See the queen and her son laying down the special flowers. It was a special day, it let me think about the war, and all the people who died. Even if it's 63 years ago, it's important to allways remember it. Hug Mele and Lejow |
Lejow Posted May 8, 2008, 7:46 pm |
Hello!
We don't know what's happening.. The whole week is such beautiful weather!! De dutch people arren't just to this kind of weather in May :P So we went cycling. Lejow showed us the glass warehouses. Those are typical for the area she is living in : 'Het Westland'. In the glass warehouses, they are growing a lot of things. From plants, to vegetables (roses, paprikas, tomatoes, etc. etc.) And this is the village she is living in, Poeldijk! Hug Meleleuca and Lejow |
Lejow Posted May 10, 2008, 6:42 pm |
Heeeeeeelllo!!
Today Lejow found her balcony a little bit boring, so we went to a gardencentre, to buy all kinds of plants and flowers.. We worked very hard, but the results where beautiful! She even bought a strawberryplant! Hug from us Meleleuca and Lejow |
Lejow Posted May 14, 2008, 2:45 pm |
Helllo!
It arrived.. My last update from the Netherlands. I enjoyed my time here sooooo much!! I saw so much nice things, beautiful buildings, I have met the coolest people, have met sooooo much other TV's (made a lot of friends!!), and I have done such nice things overhere. The people, the food (patat en kroketten, delecious!!) I am gonna miss it!! To 'celebrate' my goodbye, we went sitting on the balkony yesterday evening. The weather in Holland is still nice and warm. So even on 10 o clock in the evening it was nice to sit outside (and that is rarely!) Today, when I was ready to leave and crawl in the envelope.. The doorbell rang!! It was a big envelope.. What is in it?? We decided to take a look Hellllooo??? It was Pimboli Who came out!! We had a short talk, and a big hug, and than my time had really really come. Bye Holland, Bye everyone!! France heeeree I commmeeeee! Big hug Meleleuca and Lejow |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 15, 2008, 11:08 pm |
Hello!
I'm safe in France ! My host Fleur has a hectic time at work, so even if i do many things, we have less time for updating. You can notice I have many stay at home toys friends and a few tvs called Stasiek (from Poland) and Jeniqua (from the netherlands). Then, Nanu the polar bear from Taiwan joined us. We baked some "tyroler cakes" all togather. With nuts and chocolate chips, it was very yummy !! We travelled by train to Wardrecques in the countryside at Fleur's parent's home. |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 22, 2008, 10:38 pm |
Bonjour !
At wardrecques, I did a long walk near the channel river. I've also seen some cows. |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:00 pm |
I went back to Wardrecques and you can see me playing with the roses in the garden. |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:16 pm |
Back to Arras, i enjoy a good cup of tea, near the roses |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 22, 2008, 11:27 pm |
Look, we welcomed 2 new friends : Pebbles and Rocket ! |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 29, 2008, 10:04 pm |
Bonjour !
here is a good cake Fleur's grand-father got for us. |
Fleurdunord Posted Jun 29, 2008, 10:13 pm |
back at Arras, I've eaten a good "soufflé au fromage" cooked by Fleur.
The day after, a new toy voyager joined us : Fluffy the owl. I also visited the library (sorry no pic) |
Fleurdunord Posted Aug 28, 2008, 8:58 pm |
Bonjour!
I'm sorry for this long delay but i was so busy ... In late june i went to the library, then to the market and Fleur got for us some of these tasty cheeses ... |
Fleurdunord Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:02 pm |
Later the same day, i went to the seaside, to a beach resort called Berck. Don't you like those lovely little cabins ? |
Fleurdunord Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:07 pm |
The day after, at Wardrecques, i played with the pony. We went back to Arras by train. |
Fleurdunord Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:11 pm |
In mid july, we went at Fleur's grand-father's, at St Pol. Look at all those redcurrants we picked. We had a good tea with bread and jam. |
Fleurdunord Posted Aug 28, 2008, 9:17 pm |
I've visited the city of St Omer, with Aude (Fleur's yougest sister). I liked the ruins of the abbey of St bertin. It was a few days before we travelled around England. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:33 pm |
[color=crimson]Bonjour!
After the eurostar, we travelled to Cambridge by train. it was very interesting to visit some college. We stayed in a youth hostel.[/color] |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:36 pm |
York was a beautiful city. We 've been to a park close to the Minster. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:40 pm |
there's a beautiful lake at Windermere. We stayed in a comfortable B&B. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:46 pm |
Chester was interesting to visit : the rows, roman ruins ... we had a good tea at the hostel. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:50 pm |
Cheltenham was great for shopping. We stayed in a amazing B&B! |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:53 pm |
After Bristol, we've been to the roman baths. You can see the royal Crescent. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 9:57 pm |
Cornwall was beautiful and the B&B very comfortable. We've been to Land's end and the wonderful cliffs. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:00 pm |
There's a beautiful cathedrale at Salisbury but we prefered the parks. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:04 pm |
Oxford was our last stop. Many famous people have studied there. We've seen several college. |
Fleurdunord Posted Sep 17, 2008, 10:09 pm |
We also went for a shopping day at London with Fleur, her mum, her youngest sister and her cousin. We travelled by ferryboat. |
fam-united Posted Sep 29, 2008, 1:59 pm |
Hi everyone,
I just arrived at fam-united's home in Bruchsal. Petra took me out for a little walk, but suddenly her camera fell out of her hands and on the ground. Now it is broken and Petra is very sad. Bye, Meleleuca |
fam-united Posted Oct 4, 2008, 6:40 pm |
We wanted to visit the Japanese Garden in Münzesheim.
At the entrance you first have to read the rules, so you know how to behave in the garden This photo was made at the place, where Petra's camera dropped down. |
fam-united Posted Oct 12, 2008, 10:01 am |
Petra's husband bought something for dinner at Aldi, while we sat in the car waiting for him.
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fam-united Posted Oct 12, 2008, 11:28 am |
This morning Petra's family received a call from the ostrich farm, which we visited during their summer holidays. Petra had asked to call her, if they have an ostrich egg for her family.
So we headed to Rülzheim and while Ralf bought the egg Petra took us out of the rucksack and showed us the ostriches. I can tell you, it is a really big farm with many many ostriches. |
fam-united Posted Oct 12, 2008, 12:46 pm |
On our way home Petra wanted to show us the Rhine. So we stopped in Rheinsheim just to take photos of the Rhine and us.
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fam-united Posted Oct 12, 2008, 1:37 pm |
Today I asked Petra to take a photo with me and the Easter egg - emmh, no not Easter egg . I mean a photo with me and the ostrich egg, of course.
That's a really really big egg, don't you think so? |
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 8:52 am |
Today we watched the football /soccer match between Wales and Germany.
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fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:00 am |
Today Nori from Canada arrived at my host's place. She will stay here, because she takes part at the toyvoyager exchange challenge.
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fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:04 am |
Because Petra has to be off from work for a while, she isn't allowed to go out so much. So she watched many movies on dvd. Here it is a Miss Marple movie. She seems to like it.
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fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:17 am |
Today we played Monopoly. Being so many toyvoyagers it wasn't that easy to receive many streets, that belong together. Here you see us right at the beginning of the game.
A bit later we bought our first streets. Petra wondered, why we all payed with the 10 000 DM - they all name it Euro now. |
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:30 am |
For afternoon tea we had some Strudel today, which was filled with apples and some red marmelade. It was not selfmade, so no recipe of this one.
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fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:40 am |
Four grass parakeets live with my hosts' family:
Clowny, Fleckchen (both blue), Wolke (white) and Lilly - Lilius (thought it was a girl, but seems to be a boy , the green one) |
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 9:55 am |
It is time to bake some cakes now, because tomorrow it's Fabian's 18th birthday. Of course we toyvoyagers helped Petra, because she still isn't allowed to walk so much or just stand on her feet for a too long time. And she still has to be careful with her back.
At first we helped to make a biscuit. For lunch we had Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle), because it was easy to cook. Then I helped to cook the cherries for another cake. Here you see the carrot cake and the one with the cherries. Then I helped with the Chocolate-Mango-Coconut-Cake. |
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2008, 10:44 am |
Today is Fabian's 18th birthday.
Then first thing that I saw, when I came into the kitchen in the morning, was the Quiche lorraine, which Fabian baked yesterday night for his birthday dinner. Then I helped to prepare the table for breakfast. Petra loves to eat honey. They have many different selfmade marmelade too. Of course they don't eat bread rolls every morning. Usually they eat bread, but always with marmelade, honey or nut Now I helped to prepare the cakes for the afternoon. Here is the Cherry-Amaretto-Cake and here the Mango-Coconut-Cake |
fam-united Posted Nov 8, 2008, 11:08 pm |
Bruchsal seems to be a really foggy place during November. Petra told me, that Bruchsal is located at the edge of the Rhine Valley to the Kraichgau. So maybe the Rhine causes this fog, that is all around during the last few days.
Petra told me, that usually you see a church, when you look out of this window. Looking out of a window on the opposite side of the house, you see a walnut tree in Petra's neighbours garden. |
fam-united Posted Nov 9, 2008, 11:34 am |
About two weeks ago Petra and her family bought an ostrich egg. They were told, that they can keep it without a problem for about 4 weeks, but today was the day, that they decided to scrambled eggs. So we all had to help to empty this big ostrich egg. Wow, I can tell you, this was hard work
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fam-united Posted Nov 9, 2008, 11:53 am |
This morning we read the newspaper, because we wanted to know, who will be the new president of the USA. It is Barack Obama.
Then we took a look, whether we will find something, that we should buy at Aldi. |
fam-united Posted Nov 13, 2008, 2:50 pm |
Today a new toyvoyager arrived here: Mousy Mouse. Here we sit all together at our place in the living room
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fam-united Posted Nov 13, 2008, 2:51 pm |
While Petra was waiting for Ralf, she decided to show us a small part of this small city Bretten. She hasn't been here since years and at first she didn't find the right way, but then we arrived at the market place with its beautiful half-timbered houses.
This house shows the house of birth of Philipp Melanchton. It burned down in 1897 and was rebuilt. The "Hundles Brunnen (doggie fountain) / Brettner Hundle" - a pug is the town's landmark. |
fam-united Posted Nov 16, 2008, 2:15 pm |
In the afternoon we waited for Sabrina, who sang in her musical project choir in Forst.
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fam-united Posted Nov 16, 2008, 2:49 pm |
Then Sabrina and Petra showed us the palace of Bruchsal and some of the many buildings, which belong to the palace area. The palace was destroyed during the second world war, but was rebuilt in the 70th. Only the church doesn't look baroque inside anymore, which is a bit sad of course.
Here you see the backside of the palace. The church tower belongs to that church, in which Petra and her family go on Sundays. Here you have a great view over the palace garden with the colourful leaves now. On the other side of the palace you can see the Damianstor (gate). There are art exhibitions every now and then. Here you see the entrance of the palace. The left wing of the building is the church. Here we are on the backside of the palace again. One the wall of one building, which belongs to the palace, you see a sundial. Then we drove to the Belvedere, but it started to get darker now and so it wasn't too easy to take good photos. The Belvedere was a former hunting lodge. Now the park around it is used as a school yard for a grammar school, which is next to the Belvedere. During summer there is an open air theatre. Here you see the St. Peterskirche (church), which is only a few hundred meters from Petra's home. It is a nice baroque church, located next to the graveyard. In Petra's garden I asked her to take a last photo with me and one of the last flowers (Aster). |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:19 am |
Today I saw the first snow in Bruchsal - only a little, of course. Bruchsal is located at the edge to the Rhine valley and during the last years it was much too warm for a lot of snow. So we were happy to see just this little bit of snow.
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fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:26 am |
Today is Sankt Nikolaus Day. In the morning all kids got some sweets and nuts in some socks.
Later in the afternoon Petra did some handicrafts for her school. She created some lights with napkins and she was very happy, that we offered to help her. |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:27 am |
It's the second Advent today and so Petra lit up two candles of the advent wreath
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fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:35 am |
Again it is time to help Petra with some handicrafts. She created some invitation cards for a stuff Christmas celebration at her school.
Here you see Sabrina's adventcalendar, which she got from her godmother. Each morning she opens one small gift. Each evening we read a story in the book of this adventcalendar. This year it was a story about a figur of the crib, which was missed in the church. It was the little baby Jesus. And two children searched for this figure and learnt a lot about the history of their hometown and the life of the creator of this crib scenery. After the story is read, the one who read it, has to open the piece for the day so you can see more and more of the complete picture. I asked Petra to take some photos with me and the lights we made the other day. Unhappily she didn't turn the light on. Petra likes to cut pictures for the window. Isn't it nice? |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 10:36 am |
Today we asked Petra, whether we are allowed to cut an own window picture too.
I am really proud to see the result. We did a good work, didn't we? Then we were allowed to sit on the piano next to some Christmas decoration. It's a nice place there. In the background you see the faces of Petra's children. Her mum and kids made them four years ago. Do you like this Nikolaus? Petra and her friends made them the other day. |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:16 pm |
Petra thought, that we should go on a little walk, because the weather was so beautiful. So we drove to the palace and she took some photos there. You surely remember, that I had been at some of these places the other day, too.
[size=3]The backside of the palace in the evening light. She also stopped at a parking place next to the Belvedere to catch a last evening view over Bruchsal Next to the church with its two tower I live in Petra's home. The church is called St. Peter. All white buildings in front of me and even on the left side the one in the far belong to an older people house. The grey building left is a private grammar school founded by patres of the Pallotti order. This is the Belvedere, a former hunting lodge. The next two photos were made, while we sat in the car. Petra didn't want to go outside. Here you see the old building of Bruchsal's hospital. And just turning around a little bit you see the big building of Bruchsal's jailhouse. |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:44 pm |
Petra had some problems with a bad cold and cough and so she hadn't been able to do any baking during the last weeks. Finally today she said, that it would be time to start now or she never would get ready with everything before Christmas. Of course we offered to help her again. To tell the truth, she said, that we were a great help.
At first we read in her book. Husarenkrapferl, what a difficult word. Ok, we need eggs and flour and nuts and what else do we need? The next cookies are Honigkuchen-Herzen - honeycake-hearts |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 12:59 pm |
Again we helped Petra to bake some cookies.
Coconut-curd-cookies We helped to put the hearts together for the honeycake-hearts All together we helped to bake about 15 sorts of cookies - less than usually. |
fam-united Posted Dec 29, 2008, 1:00 pm |
Today it is a busy day. First Petra has to get ready with the last cookies and then she has to bake a cake for dinner.
Then Sabrina has to go to train for her singing and at last we went to church to attend the Kinderchristmette at 3pm. The Kinderchristmette is a special service just for smaller children and their parents. It is only about 30 to 45 minutes, so for children it isn't too boring. The musical choir performes a little play and we sing three Christmas songs all together and we pray together. It was a nice and peaceful service. After we were at home again, I helped Martin - one of Petra's sons - to wrap the presents. Later I helped to set the table. We had corn salad / lamb's lettuce and chicken ragout and selfmade bread. Then the most silent part of the evening began. Only some candles were burning, when we were allowed to enter the livingroom again. It was closed for everyone for the whole day. We saw the crib and the tree and many presents, but at first we sat down and sang many Christmas songs and listened to Ralf, who read the Christmas story. Then the kids brought the presents to the one, whose name was written on it - one by one, so everyone could see, what the other received. Only now, after everyone had received the presents, Petra went to bring the cookies. Then we sat down and played a new game: Keltis. |
fam-united Posted Dec 30, 2008, 9:10 am |
Merry Christmas to everyone at home!
I'm at Petra's sister's home today to celebrate with her family and parents. |
fam-united Posted Jan 10, 2009, 11:31 am |
It's the second Christmas holiday today. Ralf's parents and two sisters with family visited our hosts today and celebrated Christmas together. Ralf told us to sit under the Christmas tree, because he wanted to take a photo with us.
We asked him, whether he possibly can take a photo with us and the presents before they handed out the presents. |
fam-united Posted Jan 10, 2009, 11:42 am |
Petra and Ralf took us for a little walk into the city to take some photos with Christmas lights. It was so windy, that we returned home really soon.
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fam-united Posted Jan 17, 2009, 11:41 am |
It's the last day of the year today. I'm really nervous, because we want to go out tonight. You see, that it is rather cold outside.
Oh no, it is raining. That drops that you see here are icy. We will stay at home this evening. Ok, Petra told us, that we still will have fun. In the afternoon we started to play some games: Atlantis Europareise and another game (Petra just forgot the name and so did I) We had a lot of fun learning to play these new games. Then we got hungry and asked Petra, when we will have something to eat. So they started to set the table for raclette They had many different sorts of cheese. I never knew, that it is possible, that so many sorts exist and Petra told me, that there still are many many more of sorts. My plate with potato, dried tomatoes, garlic and pepperoni. Then at midnight we walked outside on the balcony to watch the fireworks. It was dangerous to walk outside, because the ground was so slippery. (Sorry, but the photos didn't come out that great.) |
fam-united Posted Jan 18, 2009, 11:15 am |
Here is a photo of one of Petra's decorated windows. She told me, that if you ever want a copy of the motives, you should let her know and she will try to send them to you via email or in a letter.
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fam-united Posted Jan 18, 2009, 12:49 pm |
It's getting colder and colder outside. You can't believe, how cold it can be even in Germany. It seems, that even Petra's family forgot about this.
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fam-united Posted Jan 18, 2009, 7:26 pm |
Today we went to church to be part of the Starsinger-service, where the starsingers were sent out to walk from house to house. Sorry, this time Petra didn't take a photo with us, but maybe you will see some with us tomorrow. The kids are dressed as the three kings, star carrier and bag carriers.
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fam-united Posted Jan 18, 2009, 7:28 pm |
For the first time in my life, I danced and played in the snow until Petra came outside and saw us playing without warm clothes. Wow, you can't imagine, how angry she was with us. But then we explained to her, that we aren't that sensitive and that we will catch no cold outside. Ok, she thought, that maybe we are right and she said, that maybe toys can't catch a cold like children do.
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fam-united Posted Jan 31, 2009, 6:57 pm |
Wow, it is really really cold here right now. Do you see the snow on the window?
I asked Petra to open it so I had been able to take a look at the roofs. It's so wonderful to see the snow on the streets and roofs, don't you think so too? We are on tour with the starsingers today. Ralf and Petra took care for two groups to bring some warm tea and bread rolls. You maybe can imagine, how happy the kids were, when we came to bring them tea. At first we stopped at a farm outside of Bruchsal. Fabian wrote the sign: 20+C+M+B+09 We also brought them to some other places. Here we are with some of the sweets, that we helped the starsingers to collect. These are Ralf's and Petra's sweets - some are with alcohol. The three children brought three bags of sweets. You can believe, that there are still some left next year same time |
fam-united Posted Jan 31, 2009, 9:01 pm |
My host family decided to drive to Dobel, because they wanted to go sledding. Of course we were more than delighted about this idea. We prepared tea and bread for lunch at first. Then everyone except us jumped into warm clothes - Petra said, that we are toyvoyagers and much too small for her clothes. Maybe she should think about an extra wardrobe filled with clothes for toyvoyagers. I can tell you, that it was really really cold and windy outside.
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fam-united Posted Jan 31, 2009, 9:49 pm |
On our way home we stopped at Frauenalb to see the cloister ruin. The cloister was founded in 1180/85 by Eberhard III. von Eberstein and his mother Uta as a convent for young aristrocratic women.
After a turbulent history, the cloister was closed 1803, then used as a military hospital until 1819 and finally sold at an auction to private investors which used it as factory floors. During that time there were four fires, after the last fire 1853 the buildings were not built-up again. Source: wikipedia (German) |
fam-united Posted Feb 1, 2009, 6:01 pm |
Today we drove to Forst, where Petra's daughter sings in a choir. We had a lot of fun climbing around in her car. She thought, she could read a book or work something for school, but she hasn't thougth, that we are with her, lol.
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fam-united Posted Feb 1, 2009, 6:14 pm |
Today another toyvoyager arrived at our host's home: Galo from Brasil.
I think, I should tell you, who is who in this photo: 1rst: Fifi Flowertot, Mumble, Khetiwe, Surprise Bear 2nd: Hurley, Mousy Mouse, HitchaRideMarky, Galo 3rd: Cassiopeia and me |
fam-united Posted Feb 14, 2009, 10:23 am |
Today was time to say goodbye to our German hosts and new toyvoyager friend. We are a bit sad, because we will miss our friends, but really excited to see you again, mum.
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