Hello my lovely readers! I’m back again with a photo diary of last week. It was a really good one, this time. Spring has truly begun in the Netherlands, temperatures went up last week and I was able to spend a lot of time outside, which was really lovely. We’re making good use of that balcony of ours, let me tell you!
On Monday I hopped over to my friend’s house for some tea and chats. She makes amazing cinnamon rolls and had some ready, along with delicious rose flavoured tea. Yum yum!
She also had a bunch of cakes left over from her Easter brunch and birthday celebration the day before, which I was more than happy to help her with, of course ;)
I’m still super happy with these grocery bags that latch on to my bike. They make grocery shopping so much easier! This reminds me I haven’t done a grocery haul in my photo diaries in a while. I’ll try to remember to do one soon.
As you may know I went into therapy for my anxiety a few months back. The therapy is over now (and was very helpful: I have a video talking about my experience planned soon), but my therapist did recommend I read this book: The Happiness Trap by Dr Russ Harris. I’ve only read a few chapters so far but it’s already proving immensely useful for learning how to deal with overwheliming thoughts and emotions. I’ll definitely come back to you with a final verdict after I’ve read the whole thing.
I filmed the Beauty Beacons episode for Arwen! It was really fun to do a Lord of the Rings inspired video again, like in the good old days. My evenstar necklace was looking a bit worse for wear so that needed a bit of love before I could wear it in the video, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to polish some of my silver and I cleaned some other pieces as well. Polishing silver is one of those tasks you just don’t get to very often (or I don’t, at least), even though it was much needed. Everything is nice and sparkly again now though and I’m glad I finally did it!
The sun came out on Thursday and we had lunch out on the balcony. I’m so grateful to finally have my own outside space! I know I keep saying this every week but it’s true, haha! It’s quickly becoming one of my favourite places in the house and I’m already spending a lot of time there whenever the weather permits it.
Playtime with the boys, twice daily ^-^
On Friday night I went over to scouting after the kids from Robbert’s group left, to hang out by the fire a bit with the other leaders. One of my favourite things about living where we do now is that I can decide to do things like this spontaneously, just hop over for an hour or so without having to take a train and a few busses first. Moving to Amsterdam has helped improve my social life greatly, which is exactly what I’d hoped for :) I have to say I’m slowly starting to appreciate living here more and more, as we discover favourite spots around the neighbourhood and as I feel the benefits of living so close to everything and everyone. It’s taken a bit of getting used to but I’m starting to really enjoy life here.
Fresh orange juice on Saturday morning. Every weekend, I like to make fresh juice and get some of those rolls that you finish baking at home and have a bit more of a special breakfast to enjoy with Robbert. I get up earlier than he does during the week and usually eat alone (or with the ratties, rather), so I like to take the time to have breakfast together with him on the weekends.
Saturday was the first truly warm day of the year, so we decided to go out on a nice long walk. We headed into the park and had pancakes in one of the restaurants there. Or well, next to it, actually! It was warm enough that we could sit outside without our coats.
After such a long, dreary winter, I could hardly believe we were able to enjoy warm, sunny weather again. I can’t wait for the trees to grow new leaves, to see what the view outside our windows will be like. There are a bunch of trees in front of our house and we’ve only ever seen them bare so far. I’m sure it’ll look gorgeous :)
The windmill was looking extra pretty today, so I took this super touristy photo with it, haha! There are always literal busloads of tourists taking pictures here, which is really funny to me. Then again, I always take those mandatory cliche photos when I’m abroad as well, so I can’t blame them :)
After we got back, my feet were really tired so I decided to rest on the balcony for a few minutes before I got started on cooking dinner. Time to read some more!
Cuddle time with Llewelyn in the evening. He comes up to me for a long cuddle session every day and I absolutely love it <3
My first time trying one of those printed sheet masks. This is a sheep mask, but I kind of think it looks like a creepy demon, haha!
Sunday was another really nice warm day, so we had brunch on the balcony again.
I’m so happy with the way this space turned out! There are still a few little things I want to add, such as more plants and some lights, but it’s already really cozy and functional so there’s no hurry.
In the afternoon we had a ship-themed costumed murder mystery dinner at scouting. The group wasn’t able to solve the murder in the end, but it was loads of fun. Look at this beautiful makeshift ship, haha!
And that’s pretty much everything I did this week. Besides a lot of computer work of course, which is what I spend the majority of my time on but have no idea how to capture in interesting photos. I hope you’ve had a great week as well guys, talk to you soon!
I thought you were a cute panda :) I am also really happy that spring has come, but my body thinks it is still winter and I am tired all the time. Happy to see you could use the great weather!
Cheers, kat