A short break at De Rieke Smit

Just over the border in Germany is a small village called Wilsum with a gem of a B&B called De Rieke Smit. We stayed here for a couple of days while away for my birthday. 

This historic farmhouse has been restored with great attention to detail. 

We were warmly welcomed by Jolanda en Rob. The rooms are very comfortable. It is such a pretty and quiet area. We enjoyed an evening of good food and conversation with them having booked Table d'Hôte.

I particularly enjoyed hearing a little about the history of the house. Jolanda showed me the old photos that are now a permanent part of the house. 

This was a perfect place for a short break!

Heidi

Practice makes perfect.....

A piece I stitched years ago is the centrepiece of my display at my quilt wall in the living room. See the verse on the sampler?

Een geborduurde merklap is het middenpunt van mijn nieuwe hoekje in de woonkamer bij mijn quiltwand. Kijk goed naar de text.....

This was a quilt was the sample from a workshop I gave and it is still a favorite of mine. 

Oorspronkelijk gemaakt voor een workshop toen ik les gaf deze quilt blijft een lievelings quilt van mij. 

Practice makes perfect...oh so true!

Oefening baart kunst...helemaal waar!

Heidi

Huis Singraven

We had a few days vacation this month to celebrate my 50th birthday. One of the places we visited was Huis Singraven in Denekamp. We were so fortunate that there was a guided tour on the day we were there. It is new this year to open the house at limited times in the winter season. The location has a long history dating back to the mid 1400s. The house itself was built in the 1600s and rebuilt many times in its history. The current house was lived in until 1966 when it was gifted to a foundation at the death of its owner. Small estates like this in Holland give a great look into the life of gentry of that time. 

The watermill on the estate is still in working order. It has been featured in a painting by Dutch artist Meindert Hobbema which is hanging in the Louvre. 

Although we did not go through the park to the sides of the house, the grounds to the front were beautiful. This garden would be beautiful in May when all the rhododendrons are in bloom. 

I would love to go back one day in the height of the gardening season. 

Heidi