Make Your Own Advent Calendar

Advent is only two days away (can you believe it?!?) and it is time to reveal the advent calendar I have created for this year. First of all, let me say, that buying the chocolate filled calendars at Trader Joe's is definitely the easier way to go.  They also only cost 99 cents, I believe - what a bargain. However, if you want something a tad more personal and upscale, and have the time, why not make your own?  

Antique Blue Toile Wallpaper

In July my friend Dora and I spent four days in the Netherlands, more specifically, in Amsterdam. One of the sights we visited was the Museum Van Loon. A private residence built in 1672, the former town home is now a museum. The name Van Loon comes from the prominent merchant family who called the house home from 1884 and who were the founders of the museum. 

Advent Calendars

We are already well into November and advent is only a few weeks away. Time to gather inspiration for advent calendars. Instead of giving my kids the usual chocolate calendars (which have been a long-standing tradition in our family) this year I am making my own calendar to fill with little daily gifts for them. I think I already know what I am going to create. The many great ideas floating around the internet provided plenty of inspiration, and to inspire you, too, here are a few of them. 

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I Love My Lemon Tree

One of my long-standing garden related wishes was to have a couple of citrus trees. Most of all I wanted a lemon tree. About seven years ago my wish came true: my parents gave me a Meyer lemon tree as a birthday gift. I planted it happily and waited for the fruit. Three years the tree stood there not giving me a single lemon. I guess citrus trees need time to acclimate to new surroundings. 

A Welcoming Pumpkin

Last week I posted about our pumpkin painting party. Today I share a picture of the pumpkin my fabulous friend Jodi created at our get together.  Jodi hosts a big Halloween bash every year and the painted pumpkin greeted guests at the entrance.

The pumpkin was originally orange, and Jodi painted it white first, then stenciled the words on with black paint. Looks great!

With Halloween gone, this lovely pumpkin  does not need to retire yet, as I am sure it would make a great welcome sign for Thanksgiving also!

Amsterdam in the Summer

Dear Readers,  

Summer is just a distant memory now, but here in Hawaii the weather is still plenty hot. Kinda like it was in Amsterdam in the middle of July when I was over there. No, I take it back. It is actually warmer here in Hawaii (and it is already November!) than the Netherlands was in July. We had warm but lovely weather in Amsterdam and spent our four days exploring the city mostly on foot. Below are some of the photos taken during my wanderings.

 Check out the clear blue skies above the picturesque buildings