School started on September 1 this year in The Netherlands...Labor Day in the USA. Remember when we used to start school the day after Labor Day? Nicholas started mid-August in Atlanta.
Anyway, the week before school starts each year, Gorinchem, where we live, puts on a big Zommerfest (Summer Fest) to bring summer to a big-blast end. It's a full week of activities all around our inner citadel, plus music on stages every night.
After 5 years now, Astrid and I usually just go out on Saturday to see what's up.
Like the Lego venue, for instance, just a block from our apartment.
Legos are big all over the world but especially in Europe.
Based in Denmark and started in 1949, it's one of the most successful companies in the world.
The bricks alone, sold in one year, can circle the earth 5 times.
At the city square, next to our Grote Kerk, there was an organized mob.
The kids really do have a last blast.
All kinds of interactive crafts keep little minds and fingers busy.
(Big ones, too.)
Did I ever mention that tennis is a HUGE sport in Holland?
Start 'em young, of course.
But what absolutely stole my heart was this little fella playing chess with his dad.
Right out there in the open for the whole wide world to watch!
I wanted to eat him up.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
All of this was at the city square, as I said, which is at the backdoor of our Grote Kerk. How many times have I shown you our Big Church!
We love going inside, never knowing what will be on exhibit there.
It so happens there this time there was an exhibit of miniature doll rooms
from Hans van den Heuvel van der Kooi. Her collection covers almost 20 homemade rooms
from 1930-2000 on a 1:12 scale, lining the inside church walls.
Once I got started, I couldn't stop, changing my camera setting to the macro mode.
I think I was a miniature artist in a past life. Seriously.
Can you imagine all this detail! It just blew my mind.
There was a Medieval room and a kitchen from the 70s
(which I somehow lumped together before keeping the rooms separate).
Here's the decor of a living room in Ameide from 1964.
An atelier.
(Gotta love the red hair!)
A children's room or nursery.
A room with Mackingtosh furniture (notice the chess board!).
A tearoom.
A butcher's shop.
A teen room (with Pepsi, HA!).
A room from the 1930s.
A bedroom.
A men's room (back in the day).
A 1950s kitchen and living room.
A 1950s parents' bedroom.
And last but not least, a room in Christmas spirit.
Are you ready? It'll be here before you know it!
