Sinterklaas

With Saint Martin's day behind us, the rush of the Holiday season is upon us.  This past Saturday, Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Piets arrived in Holland to officially start the holiday season.:)  Here in Holland, every year Sinterklaas has makes his arrival to Holland by steamboat from Spain along with his Zwarte Piets.  It is traditional for children to put their shoes out by the fireplace and sing a song
(click here to hear a song for Sinterklaas) to Sinterklaas before going to bed in the days leading up to December 5. Oh, and you mustn't forget the cookie and carrots for the horses each evening!:) (Sinterklaas is kind of like Santa Claus, for more information on Sinterklaas and his helpers the Zwaarte Piets, click here.)  In the morning, the children may or may not have a small treat such as a chocolate or pepernoten (a DELICIOUS Dutch Gingerbread cookie, click here for more info about pepernoten), stickers, etc.:)  On the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas and his helpers make deliveries to every girl and boy in Holland with a loud knock on the door and sack of gifts for the children.  Many Dutch people only celebrate Sinterklaas and have Christmas as a time of gathering with their family and friends. However, my children are also expecting Santa Claus this year as well.  I guess Sinterklaas will leave a small gift for them on December 5...afterall, we are just visiting.:)  But, both Jeremy and Elizabeth want to participate in this fun Dutch tradition!:)

We put out shoes on Saturday night after finding out that Sinterklaas arrived in Holland...

Gold Coins on Sunday morning.:)

Setting out shoes on Sunday night.:)

Scored some Chocolates on Monday morning.:)

Elizabeth wrote a letter to Sinterklaas

Lots of questions for him.:)

Looks like Sinterklaas left small gifts this morning.:)

 And this morning...it was all smiles....:)

Sinterklaas even wrote Elizabeth a letter back in Dutch!:)

We will definitely have to have one of my friends translate it for us.:)  We'll have to see what tonight brings!  Elizabeth asked me last night when our Elf on the Shelf is going to show up!!  There is ALOT to keep track of over here if you know what I mean!;)  But, for now, this is another Dutch tradition we are all truly enjoying!

Until next time!

Tot Ziens! (bye!)

Saint Martin's Day

I would be lying if I told you Jeremy and Elizabeth weren't disappointed that Halloween isn't such a big thing over here in Holland.  But, I am not lying when I say that Saint Martin's day more than made up for it!!!

For more information on the history of Saint Martin and why parts of The Netherlands celebrate this holiday, click here.  This year, this holiday was celebrated yesterday, November 11.  Saint Martin's day is like Halloween in the fact that the kids go around to various houses and get a TON of candy and treats (and an occasional tube of toothpaste!  No joke!), but it is unlike Halloween in the fact that there are no costumes, the children have to sing Dutch songs to get candy and they carry around with them a lampeon or lantern stick.  Many of the children make paper lanterns which are hung at the end of the lampeon.  All of them are different and so beautiful!:)

The children really do have to sing in order to get their treats!  Jeremy and Elizabeth have been practicing the following two songs in Dutch for last few weeks to get ready!  To listen to these Dutch songs for Saint Martin's Day, click here and here.

Both Jeremy and Elizabeth had groups of friends they were able to go around with last night.:)

Ready to head out for some Saint Martin Day Candy:)

Singing a Saint Martin Day sonf and getting some pretty nice treats!:)

Yes, you can even sing at the Oliebollen stand and get FREE Oliebollen!!!

The stores around the various town centers also pass out items to the kids when they sing.  It is so fun to see all the children (old and young) out at night with the beautiful lanterns.:)

Having fun with my friends!!:)

I think this Dutch tradition more than made up for the lack of Halloween here in Holland.  And a HUGE perk is that I didn't have to worry about getting costumes together this year!!!:)

Doei!:)

Poppies

This week, as I have watched the British news, I have noticed that all of the reporters are wearing a red poppy.  When Jeremy came home with one on his backpack (given to him by his teacher) my curiosity was spiked.

He told me about the poem called "In Flanders Fields" written by John McCrae (a Canadian surgeon). Red poppies grow naturally throughout Western Europe.  McCrae wrote the poem as a tribute to all the soldiers who died during World War 1.  The red poppy is a symbol of all the blood shed during that war and subsequent wars to follow. For more information on Remembrance Day, click here. And to read the poem "In Flanders Fields", click here.  As an American never living in Europe before, I was unaware of Remembrance Day.

In light of the U.S. election, I can not think of a better time to remember all the brave men and women not only from Europe, but from all over the world who have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.  Freedom is something that no one can take for granted.  It can make us powerful, but it is never free.  In the U.S. this week, it is also Veteran's Day.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank my grandfathers, extended family members, father and brother for your service in the name of freedom.

This week, let us remember everyone who has sacrificed themselves and family members for freedom of people all over the world.  It is through freedom that we can let our voices be heard, and I don't ever want to take that for granted.

Nail Biter

I have never lived outside the U.S. during a presidential election. And, as the world is watching the U.S. right now and I am thousands of miles away, I am just waking up and it is still Election Day (Nov.8) in the U.S. Like every other American I am anxiously awaiting what the future of our country holds. It is such a peculiar feeling not being home for this huge election. My thoughts are with my friends and family in the U.S. today. I am truly thankful and grateful that I was able to take part in this election process from across an ocean.

Nail Biter

I have never lived outside the U.S. during a presidential election. And, as the world is watching the U.S. right now and I am thousands of miles away, I am just waking up and it is still Election Day (Nov.8) in the U.S. Like every other American I am anxiously awaiting what the future of our country holds. It is such a peculiar feeling not being home for this huge election. My thoughts are with my friends and family in the U.S. today. I am truly thankful and grateful that I was able to take part in this election process from across and ocean.

It's Cold

This morning, I woke up and took a look at the weather forecast...

 They said there was a chance of snow...

and snow it did...

Although the ground is not quite cold enough for the snow to stick and it was just a flurry, it was enough for my Texas kids to get pretty excited; even while they rode their bikes to school in the cold.:)

It's cold...and that's all I have to say about that.

Doei!

Oliebollen

On Friday evenings, we head over to the next town over from us for Elizabeth's ballet lessons.  I have noticed over the last few months, there is a market open there on Friday afternoons and evenings.

 They sell tons of fresh baked goods, fruits and vegetables and fish.

Fresh baked bread:)

They are starting to set up Christmas decorations around the various town centers, and with the temperatures dropping it is really starting to feel like the holiday season is fast approaching!:)

The Dutch street organ is always fun to listen to.  I have seen them around in different places. Many times, they are playing in De Vismarkt.  Today there was one playing close to where Elizabeth has her ballet lessons.:)

Dutch Street organ

To read a bit more about these eclectic organs, you can click here.  They are so fun to listen to.  Sometimes they play old time music, but on Friday night, it was playing "(They Long to Be) Close to you" by The Carpenters.:)

After Jeremy and I dropped Elizabeth off for her ballet lesson, we went back outside to wander around the market.  Jeremy LOVES the smell of fresh baked bread.:)  He says it is his most favorite smell in the world!:)  We wandered through the market and came upon a food truck which sells Oliebollen.:)

Oliebollen truck at the market.:)

A friend of mine told me about this amazing Dutch treat.:)  It is a type of pastry which is made during the winter months.  The first Oliebollen trucks are starting to turn up around town.:)  I knew we had to try it!:)  Traditionally, Oliebollen are eaten on New Year's here in Holland.  For a description and a recipe to try to make your own Oliebollen, click here.  They actually remind me alot of beignets which I used to love when we lived in New Orleans.:)  Although, the Dutch do not put nearly as much powdered sugar on them as Cafe du Monde.:)

Both Jeremy and I have a substantial sweet tooth and the smell of the Oliebollen being fried smelled so delicious!  Let's just say that I think we have a new Dutch tradition on Friday nights!! 

Jeremy gives it a thumbs up...which is in stark contrast to his reaction with trying Bitterballen.:)  Guy and I love bitterballen...but the kids weren't really fans.:)

And, just in case you are wondering, yes, we did get Elizabeth and Guy some Oliebollen, also!:)  Or as Elizabeth now calls it "Olie Bolie!":)

Until next time!

Doei!:)