TurnofPhraseBlog

Month: July 2012

  • The Netherlands are peaceful…except for traveling Canadians…

      The Netherlands is beautiful.  The reality of the countryside painted by the Dutch Masters is as peaceful and bucolic as their paintings suggest.  To be in the Dutch countryside is rural.  For a North American this is a rare experience.  We are cavalier about space because we have a lot of it.  The parts…

  • Lessons Happen When You’re Not Looking for Them

    Yesterday, we went to the neighboring small town of Apeldoorn to visit the Dutch summer palace of many “William of Oranges” (for me) and to see “Apenheul” (for the kids) – an open air zoo for all kinds of primates.  We had a lovely time and it was a great outing for us and lots…

  • Family friendly Copenhagen

    Travelling with older children in Europe is all about negotiation and compromise.  In other words, trading off the galleries, museums, cafes and shopping with kid friendly activities.  Copenhagen is a great city for that. With everything within reasonable walking distance, the central core has lots to entertain adults and kids and is packed with European…

  • “The Best Job Ever” (if you’re 12)

    I wondered how this phase of our three month trip would be for my twelve year old daughter.  Even worried about it a bit.  We all know how to be a tourist.  But when you’re twelve, you only have so much patience for medieval towns, churches, castles and even less for museums and art galleries. …

  • compasion in action

    A high school friend of mine shared this on her facebook page recently. One of my core values is to, wherever possible, do the kind thing. My firend’s post resonated with me because I have an acquaintance who is going through an incredibly hard time. Her husband just died tragically and suddenly. They have three…

  • Warning: Coffee is an Addictive Substance that Can Affect Your Marriage

      In my native habitat, I am aware I spend too much money on café Americano mistos out of paper cups.  If the first step to “recovery” is awareness then I am aware.  I have been, however, extremely unmotivated to change.  My husband, a perplexing mixture of generosity and frugality, wishes it were different.  But…

  • A Recipe for Comfort Food: Dutch/Italian Style

    This is a rainy day, two people out of three maybe coming down with a virus, kid-friendly comfort food dish.  Or so I thought.  A spaghetti sauce bottom is topped with a baked rotini and aged Gouda cheese topping.  This is what it looks like ready for the oven: First the spaghetti sauce.  It works…