cran·ber·ry
1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.
2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.
cot·tage
1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.
2. A small vacation house.
cran·ber·ry cot·tage
1. A tiny house in the woods in the north of Holland.
2. Peace, quiet, paradise.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A simply perfect day!

Each year in the little fortress-ed Dutch village of Elburg, there is a Christmas event. The village becomes Christmas of 1900. It is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year but there is something really special about it each December...

The beautiful buildings and displays...


The villagers participating in the parade...


Including horse and carriages and the amazing goose shepherd and his dog...


Old world market...


Old world crafts...


And wonderful food! After a snack at a street booth, we had a lunch at an Italian restaurant. They had hot rabbit stew and white glühwein. It was such a delicious treat since we rarely go out to eat since I love to cook so much.


At the end of the day, we came home with a loaf of Elburg wholemeal bread and two oublies (old Dutch pasty with a cookie wafer with mocha cream and covered in chocolate - these are not often for sale in bakeries anymore). More fun was being able to first watch 3 young men in the rope factory as they made a rope with a loop which is woven into the rest of the rope for me to use for a fresh garden garland (will share that later after I make it) and two hand forged hooks bought at the blacksmith shop. I spent almost nothing for those items but went home with wonderful memories of watching these old crafts.


It was a simple and perfect day. We went early and left after we had lunch to avoid the crowds. I have been sick and stuck in the house but was glad I was well enough to have seen this before hand.


I will leave you with this funny photo. Enlarge the photos to get a closer look at the  impressions of Elburg but also the humor of this outhouse in front of a shop...

Heidi

11 comments:

  1. Last year, we got to go to this with you. It was lots of fun. They sure go all out for it. I liked the school kids following their teacher. It was so cute.
    Glad you got to go.
    The pastries look oh so good.
    Love you, Mom

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  2. Heidi, this looks to be a lot of fun. Glad you were able to go and enjoy it and glad to hear you are doing better. Take care! - Amy

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  3. So sorry to hear you have been ill! I'm glad you were able to get out and enjoy the festivities in Elburg. (I sprained my ankle on Saturday, so my Christmas cooking and decorating has come to a definite end. I'm trying to figure out how to use my sewing machine with my right ankle hurting . . .)

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  4. That looks such fun - I love the geese and the horses. Hope you are feeling better.

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  5. Looks like you had a great day out Heidi. We sometimes visit Rochester in Kent where they have a Dickensian weekend just before Christmas. It's lovely to see the shops and the Cathedral decorated and people wearing Victorian clothes. Take care and get well soon.
    Patricia x

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  6. I hope that you feel better soon Heidi!
    Thanks for sharing this fabulous day out. It looks like a wonderful event.

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  7. Wat ziet dat er gezellig uit. Ik heb Elburg nog nooit in december bezocht, maar het is zeker de moeite waard om het eens te doen. Ik dacht even dat jij daar op de plee zat. Jammer dat je je niet lekker voelde. Beterschapsgroetjes,

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  8. Dat ziet er gezellig uit daar in Elburg.Volgend jaar wil ik daar graag eens gaan kijken, moet ik even met de directeur overleggen. Fijn dat jij je weer wat beter voelt.
    Liefs en een dikke hug, Bep.

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  9. Ik had hier nog nooit van gehoord...laat staan gezien.
    Maar dit is gaaf wat je liet zien...prachtig, daar wil ik ook eens naar toe.
    Leuke foto die laatste, die originele Hollandse poepdoos ☺
    En jij ook al ziek...het heerst wel moet ik zeggen, ik wens je in ieder geval veel beterschap!!

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  10. Love the outhouse picture! So funny. Glad you felt well enough to get out and have some fun!

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  11. Looks like such a fun day Heidi - I'm glad you were feeling good enough to get out and enjoy it. I love events like that. Take care of yourself and have a wonderful blessed holiday. I hope to visit with you much more in 2013. I miss our chats

    Hugs - Karen

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