Here's another break (from the Vasse trip in December) to keep us present with the here-n-now...which happens to finally have below-freezing temps here in Gorinchem. Other places in the Netherlands have had snow, but not here...yet.
At least Jack Frost has visited! So on Monday, walking home after grocery shopping, I took pics. I'm still trying to make my Canon Powershot max its limit, hoping not to get out my big-girl camera and macro lens. I'll keep trying....
This is pretty much in order of what I saw from beginning to end.
It intrigued my how some had frost and others didn't.
And how some had LOTS of ice crystals.
Brrrrrrrrr.
It really was cold but we all were in heaven.
Some more than others.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Still in the macro mode, a couple days earlier, I had to capture Astrid's amaryllis.
How is it possible they can grow so tall? And this is the second bloom!
As you see, I had to stand on a chair (still in my pyjamas on a Saturday morning).
Later that afternoon we drove to our sister city, Woudrichem, across the river,
to buy more ingredients from the windmill for Astrid's bread machine.
Afterwards, for lunch, we dined at the nearby De Stroming restaurant...always a photo op.
[We plan to take sister Ruth and hubby there in July!]
The doggie vane was an added "gift" on the drive home.
The doggie vane was an added "gift" on the drive home.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
One last fun thing from Monday night, because I had free passes to the show skating in nearby Dordrecht,
we went to see what it was like:
we went to see what it was like:
I ended up having so much fun watching and filming Astrid.
And though neither one of us needs to do it again, Astrid said it was totally worth it.
Even worth her taking Tuesday off work, she said (since we got home at midnight).
The frosty flowers are beautiful. I love the groupings.
ReplyDeleteIn the video, some of the skates look to have long blades, longer than average anyway. It looks like a peaceful skate and the ability to skate as a group is wonderful.
Thank you, Marie, for stopping by again. The skates for Show Skating are in between figure skates and speed skates. I grew up with figure skates and Astrid grew up with speed skates on the canals. Show skates are curved on both ends for some of the maneuvers. That's why it took Astrid awhile to get used to them.
DeleteLovely icy pictures, we had a smattering of snow a few days ago but it quickly melted.
ReplyDeleteAs for the amaryllis, aren't they amazing? We have a red one out on the kitchen window sill.
Thank you, Anne. Astrid loves growing the bulb flowers because they are like miracles to her. I love to watch them grow before my very eyes!
DeleteWOW I love the frost pictures, they turned out so good. Fascinating isn't it, how the frost can grow... wonders of nature.
ReplyDeleteHA I will never be a Sjoukje Dijkstra (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sjoukje_Dijkstra) and of course this has nothing to do with figure skating. But it was F U N....skating is fun and the people are so nice and helping and enthusiast about the sports. A wonderful evening. The amaryllis is so wonderful and I love it that you pictures, you being on the chair was a good chance to show how tall...
Love the memory, love the post. IHVJ.
Wonders of nature are never tiring! Now, if only it would snow...THAT would be a wonder!
DeleteYou can be proud of your Sjoukje Dijkstra, winning the ladies' singles in the 1964 Olympics. I have a feeling you would really do well with the Show Skating if you had the time to practice every week. Right up your alley!
Your flowers never cease to amaze me here inside our apartment. "You grow," as Ruth said on FB. :)
Seeing that frost on those flowers reminded me of some candy that I loved during my childhood, but can't recall the name. Loved seeing the amaryllis and just knowing that I've been there makes it even more special. Great video! xo
ReplyDeleteI know what candy you're talking about, Robin, but can't recall the name either...probably topped with lots of sugar, HA! I love what Astrid does with her flowers, something she gets a thrill out of, as do I, watching her/them. And I do think she'd end up being a GREAT show skater, if she had the time to do it! After all, she was a fabulous ballroom dancer at one point in her life.:) Thanks.
DeleteYou know I love flowers, and I love frost, so these are wonderful. I love seeing Astrid's amaryllis and also her skating. She is a talented lady! Well, and so are you. :)
ReplyDeleteAll of it thrills me to no end, Ruth. It doesn't take much to make us happy...something we say often to each other. It's true. We can hardly wait till you see our life here! Soon!
DeleteLove those, heaven-made cold shots near the end with large crystals. I would have enjoyed a whole page of just those, All the others were good, too, of course, but those werw my special fav’s.
ReplyDeleteThank you, kind sir. I have a feeling I'll get our my real camera one of these days to work with my Canon macro 100 mm red-ring lens. HA! Star power. But I'm still pleased with this little PowerShot. It still surprises me.
DeleteHow cool is that? The frost, the tallness of the Amaryllis (reminds me of the Music Man), the skating. Never heard of show skating but looks like fun. I tried to skate with the husband last week, and he dragged me around for a bit with a hockey stick. I could barely stand on my own, but maybe we could try this style one day :)
ReplyDeleteShow skating is old-timey, Susan, and goes back to when the Dutch in certain regions wore their costumes and skated like this on the canals. It still happens in some places...but it's a dying breed that this group is trying to keep alive and relevant. It's beautiful when done well. And the skates are special skate!
DeleteAnyway, thanks for stopping by once again. We really go way back, don't we!
The ice crystals are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Maria...and thank you.
DeleteStunning captures...love how magical frost looks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna...and I so agree.
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