Happiness in Holland

Yes, yes, Holland, I know, I have been greedy and didn't want to share you. It's springtime though and I have fallen in love with you.
Amsterdam is one of those cities where one can easily get lost, and walk aimlessly for hours just looking at how beautiful it is. The canals are everywhere and so are the wonderful bridges, all packed tightly together with tiny little buildings.With all of the quirky tiny details that seems to make each building unique.People even live on the canals in houseboats, with tiny little gardens too!It is obvious to see how much the people love their plants. These arrangements were found at one of the flower markets held alongside one of the canals.Here is an arrangement outside the front of a shop. And the streetart did not disappoint me either.

And then it was on to the countryside, with your picturesque allees of

Fagus sylvatica,

and more of the canals lined with carpets of emerald green moss.

I could just ride my bike forever through these country backroads.

One of the windmills is right in my local town Ruurlo, where I am living...
And speaking of living, I could be happy here in this tiny and simple 3 colored house, which I also saw in town,

or this cottage with its dream-like surroundings.

The countryside is full of treasures and sights, like mature trees, firewood, and saplings- thats 3 generations of trees.

Spring is now here in full force, and it is incredible. But I am going to be greedy a little bit longer and keep De Wiersse to myself, if just for a few more days........Happy Spring.

Barcelona days and night

Oh Spain, it's so good to be back in your arms, lost in your city of Barcelona without a purpose, except to absorb all of your beauty and sophistication. Your city wraps itself around me and I get disoriented by your flair. This love affair needs to stop...... Your filled with your rich history

and welcomed me with brick rainbows with your mountains smiling from beneath...

I was lost at first, in memories of times past, and didn't know which way to go, until you pointed me in new directionsand serenaded me with your secrets of the night.From the secrets that you hold in your plazasto mysterious sights. You lit my smile up and in turn you showed me new ways to see things..Like balconies lit from belowor presented me with this treasure created by Gaudi.

And then you showed me your version of Mediterranean gardens, while sheltering me from your hot sun
I took in the details.....But these were only the appetizer to my meal.The Barcelona Botanic Garden was the main course and I was in awe..

Teaching me the bizarre beauty of Xanthorrhoea glauca

or this arrangement with the intense orange blooms of

Aloe ferox,

and the yellow pom poms of an Acacia.

The Ceanothus arborescens hugged the city
just as much as the sky.

I learned to appreciate all of the different Mediterranean climates of the world, such as Australia, South Africa, Chile, California, North Africa and the Canary Islands.

But time doesn't stand still and my days are limited, so the city called me back.

The buildings are incredible

and you don't skimp on the intricate details or colors.

Leave it to you to make geraniums look so good.

You helped create and inspire good artists like Miro

Whose colors reflect your vibrancy.... And don't forget those street artists, who make me smile... My thoughts get fragmented and I don't know what to focus on when I am with you.
But Gaudi once again sets me straight

and shows me over and over

why he is amazing.

There is color and life everywhere, even if it is in the form of a statue

in the young

and the old, your people are like no other. Living life the way it should be lived.

And eating food the way it should be eaten, like your calcots, with which you have festivals to celebrate this delicacy.
The markets tease and tantalize my senses, my nose, my mouth,

and my eyes. You trip me out.and the inspiration and love for life pulses through my body,

and heart..

but sorry Barcelona, you shared this wonderful combination with me, but sad to say you have nothing on the tulip displays I am sure Holland is going to share with me...... Maybe it's time we took a break........ Until next time Spain......... xoxoxo