Expat Chocolate Chip Cookies

I'm probably the last person you should accept a recipe from...unless we are talking about chocolate chip cookies...and then you will be glad you listened to me.  In advance, you are welcome for this life changing post.

All I do is follow this yummy recipe, with 2 expat twists (which are the secret to my success).

For the chocolate, it has to be Tony's Chocolonely 70% puur, pounded with a hammer into big chunks.  And for the salt, Oregon's finest, Jacobsen Sea Salt.

My final tip...parchment paper.  I don't understand why...but it makes cookies 1000 times better than just a naked cookie sheet.

The Art of Summer

Home is where the art is.  We are so lucky to live here, I realize that every single day...esp on my early runs and also as we cycle through the Rijksmuseum bike tunnel nearly day as we come and go throughout the city.  Today we made time to stop and stay awhile instead of just cycling by.  A sunny summer afternoon in the Rijksmuseum gardens is time very well spent.

The kids (and everyone else) love the fountain, esp on days when I pack swim suits.

The Calder Exhibit is in full swing, and today's gentle breeze brought his mobiles to life.  

The kids and I took a class in the garden, giving us a chance to learn about Calder and his work, but also to build our own works of art.  Too cool.

All Good Things Come to An End

Happy retirement Dick B.  The world will always love Nijntje...esp those of us that get to live in Holland and experience the national Nijntje pride first hand.

Photos du Jour

A few random snaps from the past few days:

I had never seen a sign like this until today.  LOVE.

Noodle making lesson...

My washing machine is the size of a thimble and my dryer takes about 2+ hours to dry anything and I can't run both at the same time...and so sometimes...this happens...and I have to pull it back together before I can go to bed.

Today was the pride parade, we didn't make it to the parade (we did last year - and w was pretty clear that he loved it but didn't want to deal with the crowds again)... but we are loving the rainbow flags all over town.

Fun to catch this sunrise over the double deck bike parking at Centraal Station the other morning...

Each day after football camp this week, we'd stop halfway home (so I could rest my bike legs...the camp was far away) to pick blackberries.  The kids loved it and W said "ahhh, it tastes like Portland".  Love!

FB Camp

W had an absolute blast at his football camp (even if he had to wear the wrong brand all week).  We were so proud of him and it is so much fun to see him love this (and every) sport like he does.

The real players were onsite most of the week as well...with their fancy cars...we were loving this camo mercedes SUV...

Expat 4th

July 4th came and went...and it was so much fun!  Not only was it the last day of school...but our great friends hosted an all American (and Dutch and French) celebration.  

HB - how is it possible that of all the photos...I can't find one of you?  As soon as I find one I will update this post.  Thank you for hosting...we will always remember this party, so much fun!  

 3 boys with sparklers are below...and just below them are their papas...July 4th was bittersweet for all of these Frenchies...they loved celebrating USA style, but hated watching the French team lose their World Cup game...

This is how Princesses make s'mores, pink bbq and all...LOVE

 I've told you about dutch stairs before...my friend HB explains it all better...

 These two...such good buds...melt my heart...

Runderful

A long slow run along the Amstel is a good way to start the weekend.  One thing I really love about this city is how easy it is to leave it behind and run into the country.