The Netherlands.
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Meet Sjoera.
Super hip, super cool Dutch girl. My constant companion during my stay in The Netherlands. An instant friend. She is mama to Spike, yep, Spike. Most likely one of the cutest kids I have ever seen.
Sjoera did such an awesome job of keeping me in line. Always there with an offer of tea or coffee or a coat. I packed totally wrong this trip - never imagined it would be as cold as it was. Woke me up every day with a cheerful "good morning."
Here we are loading up at IKEA:
And here we are with Queen Regina of Pien's near the top of the Dom Tower:
Loved the chance to be in Regina's stores. And to hang out with her. Such a nice time (even if it was really cold :)).
Once again I was totally enchanted with Dutch culture. The history. The people. The way they eat and chat and relax and have extra long meals. No one seems to be in a hurry. And of course, I love the bikes.
Here are a couple of my favorite shots:
Me & Florence:
The lovely ladies that drove from Germany:
I love walking around during class and taking photos of the progress and the cool ways that people interpret the project. Seriously one of my favorite parts of the workshops.
ROTTERDAM
My last day of teaching included two classes at Regina's store in Rotterdam. Great classes. Great store. Super cool city. Rotterdam is this amazing mixture of old and new. Fantastic modern architecture right next to very old buildings with wonderful character and charm and history.
When the classes were done for the day we took a water taxi over to the coolest place for dinner: Hotel New York. I want to move into this place. And we arrived at the perfect light of day.
Still working on my Scrapbook on the Road.
Still thinking about all the cool people I met. All the people I met on the last trip that I had the chance to reconnect with this time. Love that.
Traveling always makes me very contemplative. I think a lot about where I am in my life. I consider things, evaluate, ponder. What changes I will make this time around? I know for sure I will be simplifying again - traveling seems to nail down what is really important for me. Brings all the essentials into direct focus. I feel really thankful for that...
So home again for a bit. Cleaning up. Figuring out what is on my agenda for the week. Going through the piles. Ordering product for upcoming classes. Working on my CKU-A presentation. All that good stuff. And loving the boys. And driving my car. And sleeping in my own bed. And just being happy.
And, just so you know, I watched Walk The Line on the way over and on the way back.
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71 comments
Your pictures are totally awesome !!! So very nice to know that you are home safe.
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seems like such a cool country. so glad you have the opportunity to visit europe and meet such fantastic people. i wish you the best this week as you get back into the swing of every day life at home. thanks for giving us a snapshot of your trip!
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wow. love those photos. so incredible. makes me want to travel.
and oh, i cannot wait to watch 'walk the line' again. i wish they would both win oscars. i am in love with that movie! :)
welcome home!
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BEAUTIFUL shots Miss Ali! You so need to do travel shows as you have me wanting to go over there and I'm not the best flier in the world!!
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I love the Netherlands. Three fantastic weeks of my life were spent in Amsterdam. I 've taken away great beer brands and a fondness for herring. Ali, can you talk about how you will continue to simplify? It's a huge prioriy and, frankly, an obstacle for me. Any advice and perspective would be welcome . . . .
Thanks.
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Amazing!! It looks like you are having an amazing time in an amazing place! What a cool thing that people share this art all over the world! I am so excited that such a hobbie of paper and pictures can connect people from all over! Keep sharing, keep on keeping it real.
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glad to hear you had a safe trip. looked like you had super fun students and obviously you got to see a lot!!! i'm enjoying your photos. well Miss Ali, welcome home!
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beautiful new banner and lovely photos! Welcome home!
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you got fabulous pics Ali! sounds like a great time. I'm getting excited for my trip in August :) and did you eat lots of krokette and pannekoeken? My dutch faves!
R
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Nice to have you back Ali. So glad to hear your trip was great and I just love the pics you have shared. Sounds like a really awesome time. Also glad to hear you are working on CKU-A stuff - see you there!
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Looove the photos, especially that one with the red boat!
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Love the folding of the scarf =) ... so glad that you had a great time. Next time you go I am stowing away in a piece of luggage! -AE
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Ali,
As always, beautiful photos.
Lori
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Glad you are back safe and sound...Missed you friend!
kiss kiss
m
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Amazing photos...thanks for sharing!
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Outstanding photos! I love your eye and perspective. You have such an amazing eye, not only in the photos and in your work, but life in general.
I too am a frequent traveler. Nothing too exciting like the world travels you do but I'm a machine all across the PacNW *shout out to a fellow PacNW girl :)* I so totally get what you are talking about being on the road and the introspective aspect of it, appreciating being home, in your bed, with your family, etc.
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Love the new banner!
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I am in awe of your trip. Your photos came out so awesome.
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ugh, and this is your JOB?? Why can't I be an ultra cool scrapbook/designer who gets to spend her life working with great product, travelling the world and with a gorgeous family to boot? Girl, you have got it MADE.
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Beautiful, just beautiful photos Ali. I can't wait to see what you do with them.
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