Het Lingebos in Nearby Vuren, NL

You wouldn't know that behind the scenes I am full-throttle ahead on getting posts done on our recent annual trip to Atlanta.  But, you know, sometimes you have to clear the way first....

So before I show you the incredible Oakland Cemetery in downtown Atlanta, I want you to see what we came back to last week.  Astrid says she can't remember when the autumnal colors here where we live were this brilliant.  She says it was the right combination of warmer weather and less rain that made it happen.

Watch and be astounded again by the hand of Mother Earth.

Each week we ask, "Where are we going to eat this Saturday?"

It's my treat, every Saturday of the year, to have lunch out somewhere.  Out.  Away.

Because of the incredible colors, Astrid suggested we go to the pannenkoek restaurant 

in Het Lingebos...the wee forest in nearby Vuren, less than 6 km away.

We parked at the edge of the forest and walked 45 minutes through it to the restaurant,

and then back again to the car.

OMG.  This is exactly what our body-soul-spirits needed.

THIS is why I still live here...if for no other reason!

We had eaten once before at this restaurant in the woods, but years ago with Jeroen and Eva.

I had totally forgotten what it looked like, inside and out.

I even forgot to take a photo of the pannenkoek before it was all but gobbled up.

But you get the idea.

That pot of stroop, btw, is a Dutch pancake staple (even though we don't use it).

It's like molasses!  Good for what ails you.

Walking back to the car, our eyes were again wide open.

Even the cows way back near the highway, in the dazzling sunlight, were happy.

We ALL were happy, soaking it up like there's no tomorrow.

And it's right at our fingertips.

Yes, I'm home!

Again and Again!

Remember when it rains, it pours? Again and again!

On Saturday we had a lovely lunch nearby the apartment with James and his partner, Matt. I still can't believe that we're within easy walking distance of each other. Since it wasn't my first time to see them, I didn't take any more pics. But yes, we had a lovely time together and I wanted you to know.

Yesterday WAS a new blogger (like Ade), from my photoblog: Petra (pronounced PAY-tra, different from what we both thought, Judy!). And here we are after first meeting each other at the art market at the Spui square near the City Center of Amsterdam. (Here's her pic for today.)

From the art market, we decided to go rent bikes and ride out to North Amsterdam away from the canals, across the bay behind Centraal Station. A 5-minute, free ferry ride took us across the Ij bay to a lovely, non-conjested area north of the city. Because we were riding bikes and yakkity-yakking the whole time (2 Gemini!), I didn't take many pics. I told her and Donica that I will definitely go back again on my own when I can stop any time I want and take as many pics as I want!

What a beautiful lady! Yes, another redhead (by choice, though--ha!). We talked on my phone to Donica, my chance to take pics of her. At the end of the day, Donica met us back at the Spui where we had a coffee, with Donica and Petra meeting each other. At 5p, we said our Good-Byes, just as it started to rain.

You know these are times I cherish! I feel so very lucky...and grateful! I AM!

Happy Mother's Day

First and foremost, this is for Amy, my daughter! Since my own mom, her g'ma, is no longer here to celebrate, except in our hearts, Amy is now the mother "du jour" for me. From one generation to the next!

As you know, Amy was gone all last week on a business trip and I got to be "mother/g'ma" to Nicholas for a week. Donica also was gone and this is what they missed:

The Secret Garden, by Nicholas (1st grade), 2007

Remember Monet's Garden last year when Nicholas picked up his work of art? This is his happy, proud smile of accomplishment this year. It almost looks like the same smile!

When Dennis was here a week ago, he helped Nicholas get his bike-riding bearings. This time I had my own chance to watch and take pics. Amy, you can be proud of your boy. He's growing up!

Because Donica flies back to Europe today (after being home 2 days!), we're celebrating Mother's Day with her mom on our way to the airport. (I'll follow suit, flying to Amsterdam tomorrow.)

That meant we celebrated the special day yesterday with Amy and Nicholas, right after his T-ball game.

Mother "du jour" with Proud Son!

BTW, when Amy arrived home Friday night from her week away, Nicholas was already in bed. As I helped her carry her suitcase upstairs, we both stopped dead in our tracks when we saw this note propped up on one of the steps:

Nicholas later told Amy that totally unbenownst to me, he had gotten up very quietly after I kissed him Good Night and wrote this note in the upstairs hallway. "And it wasn't very light. I could hardly see!" He was afraid to let G'ma know he was up.

OMG, Amy! I have told you this before and I will tell you again, you have been a model mother and mentor of my grandson. I marvel at you as a single mom and I learn from you. I can't pay you a higher compliment than to say I wouldn't want anyone else to be his mom!

And now for the rest of us, may we be so dearly loved and respected on this day of celebration. We all came from a mother somewhere. We all have a lot to be thankful for.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I'll talk to you next on the other side of the pond!