A dream of mine is coming true...

For many many years I've wanted to go to Venice, Italy, and this weekend it is actually happening.

Our computers are not invited, but expect amazing pictures upon our return. Until then, just imagine me smiling on a gondola gliding down the Grand Canal.

My 31st Birthday Party

Because Passover overlapped with my birthday this year, as it does from time to time, I decided to plan a little get together of my girlfriends tonight to celebrate my birthday. We started off with an Indian food feast, and ended with going to a chick flick.




And, since Jenn baked pink cupcakes for me we ate those all throughout the night.

A birthday present to myself

If I could have had one thing on my birthday that I didn't already have, what would it be... to spend the day with my best friend Monica and her adorable son Erik! So, what did I do... I bought a ticket to go to LA for a long weekend in June for a quick visit! YAY! I mean, look at this kid (playing in the park with his grandma), is he the cutest thing, or what???

I can't wait to see you guys!!!

Reunited with my blueberry muffin and it feels so right

Lunching canal-side

What are the 31 flavors?

Because today I turned 31 I decided to figure out, what exactly are the 31 ice cream flavors at Baskin Robbins? Of course wikipedia knew.

Passover Potato Tot Hotdish

Last night for the first time ever I made a real Minnesota Hot Dish. I mean, I married a Minnesotan after all so why not!? Actually, it was inspired by Passover because it is a tater tot hot dish and potatoes can be eaten in abundance this week. Believe it or not, it turned out so good and my husband actually ate it! Thanks to his Aunt for the vegetarian version of the recipe.

Day at Zaanse Schans

Today we went out to Zaanse Schans. It's a touristy kind of place, but it's cute. There are real working windmills there, and a cheese farm, and goats, and cute little bridges... oh, and the Albert Heijn museum!!! Um, yeah, it's not much of a museum, but again, total cuteness out there in the Holland countryside.

Random Dutch product of the day

This is a Dutch paper towel.


It has elephants on it and two random words...


If you look in the lower right you see the word "LOTUS" which somewhat makes sense because that is the brand name of the paper towels.


But, what about the word here, down in the lower left... "OKAY." What is that all about? All of the paper towels have both of these words on them, LOTUS and OKAY, plus elephants. Weird.

Enjoying the sunshine and warmth

Today was so beautiful that Katie and I decided to have a little picnic lunch on her terrace and then go bike ride around the Amsterdamse Bos which is like the Golden Gate Park or Central Park of Amsterdam. It was so warm and gorgeous out that we saw tons of people playing soccer, kayaking, riding horses, and more.

I just can't get enough of this green stuff!

Does anyone remember what the views out of my apartment windows looked like in January??? Well, click here to refresh your memory. Anyway, it is officially spring time here in Holland and I am so excited. Look at the big tree out the back window!

Preparing for Passover

Mmmmmmm... popovers (made with Matzah meal of course) and charoset. The things that make passover not so terrible.

I heart girlfriends

Today I had a long awesome chat with my good friend Sarah. Sometimes I don't realize how much I miss my girlfriends back at home until I hear one of their voices. I loved chatting with ya today Sairy!!!! Can't wait to see you here in Amsterdam next month!

Keukenhof

Keukenhof is this AMAZING flower park just outside of Amsterdam. It is only open from the end of March until mid-May so the girls and I needed to go check it out. As you probably already know, The Netherlands is famous for tulips. Well, you can find almost any color and kind of tulip here. There are more than you can even imagine! It is absolutely gorgeous.

Passover Panic

Today I am experiencing something I call "passover panic." With Passover on the horizon all I can think about is pastries! Muffins, croissants, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, donuts, everything that is sweet and made from bread. Oh man, this is going to be a long week.