LaborOfLoveDeliveringGrace...

So, Amsterdam is merely FOUR days away and it’s about time I start blogging about my upcoming trip.

My plan is to blog there or if I don’t have access to the internet— post my handwritten, old school “blog” notebook entries on this sight soon after I’m back.

I’m really starting to get excited about my pending European adventure! 

My Mom and I are flying out of Springfield this Thursday (March 31st). We will first stop off in Chi-Town (Chicago) and then board another plane to Amsterdam! If you don’t already know this, I am heading to the Netherlands to visit my sister, Kelsey who works there as an Au Pair (nanny). She will be our tour-guide around the city while we are there. I am so excited to see Kelsey. I have missed my baby sister!

I’m interested to learn about her life in Amsterdam and meet the children she is a nanny, too. Also, I’m looking forward to meeting all of her friends that I have heard so much about! :)

So…I have already gotten kind of annoyed with the stereotypical responses I have received when I announce I’m going to Amsterdam:

  ”Don’t do any drugs!”

  ”Did you know prostitution is legal there?”

I have realized that all people know about Amsterdam is their liberal views on drug-use and legalized prostitution. Well, let me tell you something America… I’m pretty sure there is a lot more to Amsterdam than that! As far as I can tell, Amsterdam appears to be a beautiful city full of history, diverse cultures, gorgeous architecture, and winding canals. It’s kind of depressing how people pre-judge the city… I’m looking forward to proving them wrong. So drug screen me if you like—BUT, this girl ain’t going for the  smoke-filled “coffee-shops” or head-turning Red Light District. I’m going for a fun-filled family European vacation full of laughs, adventure, and good food :).

Let the countdown begin… Goedenacht (Dutch for “goodnight”).

… so I am absolutely in love with Horchata. Experienced this delicious treat at El Charro this evening and I’m officially hooked!! :)

Saw “Rango” tonight and I think I’m in love with that lizard… I give it TWO slimy, scaly thumbs up!

This song makes me cry because it’s absolutely beautiful…

“Sometimes it lasts in love, 
But sometimes it hurts instead,” 

Here’s the recipe…

“Healthified” Zuppa Toscana

1 lb lean “italian flavored” turkey sausage

3 large russet potatoes, cubed. (I peeled one, and left the other two with the skin on)

1 large onion, chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons of chopped garlic

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp of pepper

1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes

4 cups water

32 oz. low sodium chicken broth

4 cups chopped fresh kale, rinsed, chopped finely

1 (15 oz) can of cannellini beans, drained, rinsed

3/4 cup of fat-free half and half

1. In large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently until it is in small pieces, add onions to sausage, cook until turkey is lightly browned (no pink). Drain and set to the side.

2. In same saucepan or Dutch oven, add chicken broth, water, garlic, potatoes italian seasoning, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Heat to boiling. Boil for 5-10 minutes, until potatoes soft. Reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally.

3. Stir in sausage, onion, kale, and beans. Cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until kale is tender. Add half-and-half. Cook until heated throughout.

*Top with bacon, if desired. Crusty bread is wonderful to dip in soup.

Enjoy!

So… I’m getting ready to travel to Amsterdam in about a month, so it’s about time I started making a list of the things I’m looking forward to seeing/visiting. These are in no order of importance, except the first one…

Adventures in Amsterdam:

1. First and foremost, I look forward to FINALLY seeing and getting to spend time with my little sister, Kelsey! I know she will be the best tour guide and I’m just so excited to see where she has been living and meet all of her friends! Plus, I can’t wait to hear her speak some more Dutch— she is amazing! Maybe I will learn a little, as well :).

2. I want see the FAMOUS IAmsterdam sign… and get lots of touristy pics. Maybe even one holding a 417 Magazine :).

3. I have always loved reading about WWII and the Holocaust— it amazes and saddens that such an awful tragedy happened not too long ago. I have read Anne Frank’s diary a couple of times— it is such an innocent and chilling account of the Holocaust. I would like to visit Anne Frank’s house where her and her family hid from the Nazi’s, until they were eventually discovered in their secret annex and transported to concentration camps, where they later lost their lives.

4. I can’t wait to explore my way through the RijksMuseum that is full of beautiful old-world masterpieces… the architecture of the building alone is a work of art :). I would love to walk around it with a cup of coffee and the company of my family.

5. I would love to try a tapas-style meal of several Indonesian dishes, called a Rice Table. It’s composed of several small dishes of different Indonesian delicacies and I’m ready to mark it off my Bucket List. YUM!

6. I’m really excited to “tip-toe through the tulip” fields with my mama. She has wanted to see these famous tulip fields for several years— so I’m really happy that we get to experience seeing this beautiful scenery together :). I hope it’s as gorgeous as these picture portray.

 7. We are taking a day trip to visit Antwerp/Brussels in Belgium… not only am I looking forward to experiencing AUTHENTIC Belgium chocolate, I can’t wait to take in the sights of the unbelievable Gothic Cathedral. During our day in Belgium, we get to walk the cobble-stone streets and visit a lace factiory :).

8. After reading about this (hopefully) delicious treat… I cannot wait to try frites (french fries) with a dallop of the Amsterdam favorite, mayonnaise.

9. One of my most anticipated activities is walking among the beautiful canals in Amsterdam. I plan on at least taking ten minutes of my vacation to walk beside them while blaring some soul-soothing music of my choice… and pretending to be a European :).

10. It’s about time I visit that Dam Square… sorry, couldn’t pass that joke up :). This is close to where we will be staying in Amsterdam— the architecture is so beautiful

11. I can’t wait to shop my way through the Albert Cuyp market… they sell fresh fruit/veggies, flowers, wigs, wooden shoes. Sounds like a good time to me!

12. Relax at Vondelpark. This is one of my sister’s favorite places in the city. I look forward to a little time unwinding in this pleasant park.

Needless to say… these are just some of the wonderful things I hope to experience in Amsterdam :)

There is only one.

The world was against us.

Said “we” could never be…

But we knew and we believed… and we remain <3.

Life overwhelmed us at times.

But love conquered it all.

I now know there is only one… and we shall remain.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, 

   like a seal on your arm; 

for love is as strong as death, 

   its jealousy unyielding as the grave. 

It burns like blazing fire, 

   like a mighty flame…”

—Solomon 8:6

I love you, Stephen… (the promise remains from the beginning) no matter what.

 ”And you are the wolf, And I am the moon

And in the endless sky we are but one—We are alive.

In my dreams wolf and I…”

Loving me some Oh Land— she is amazing :).

Sometimes I wish I worked for Michael Scott… it would be an honor :).

LET THE PUPPY BOWL BEGIN…