Judith's roses

springflowers

back home

Bringing Bolivian goodies, lots of stories and even more photo's, Emma's back. Tanned, wiser and matured.

nooosugar

NOOOSUGAR

Graham and Green

GRAHAM & GREEN

RICHARD AVEDON

Yesterday was the opening of the Avedon photo exhibition in FOAM Amsterdam. A good opportunity to see the impressive work of this important 20st century photographer before it will be shipped to the VS at the end of May.

Beyond the Taj Mahal

"Incredible India" is the slogan in the TV commercial for tourist India. Incredible, India is for sure. In the film "Slumdog Millionaire" we are witness of the life and andventures of Jamal Malik from the slums of Mumbai. And although the people in the film are characters, and the slums they live in is a filmset you can't help beeïng overwhelmed by the incredible poorness and inhumane struggle of daily life. Lucky for the benign Jamal there is a possible escape. A wonderful story and a peak behind the tourist India.

mimosa

Mimosa belongs to February. Every year at the end of January I'm starting to look out for it. This year it is available in different types. With a little bunch of fuchia-coloured anemones and the yellow mimosa, combined with the green base of last week's saturday flowers, I made this new bouquet.

Mancora

Emma's last Peruvian stop before she flies home to cold and windy Amsterdam.

het vrije schaap

The television highlight of my week is the series "Camping het vrije schaap".
It is a lighthearted comedy in a typically Dutch setting in the fifties. A strong cast, oldtime quality songs and a brilliant director. Probably not at all appealing to "the not Dutch" but it makes my fridays.

touch of spring

machu picchu

I asked Emma for an Alpaca-photo. Here it is. Taken yesterday.

flowers for Pienke

Last goodbye to a very dear aunt .

thora in pink

The enchanting Thora Egidius, painted by A. Piersch in 1909.
While visiting the canalhouse museum van Loon, this pink picture caught my eye.

negen straatjes II

Which window belongs to Johnny ? If we may believe the information, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis recently bought an appartement in this building. I feel like a real papparazza.

negen straatjes

I'm lucky to live around the corner from "De negen straatjes" (the nine small streets) in the heart of Amsterdam. This shopping area with attractive little shops and a creative inspiring atmosphere is becoming more and more popular. You could say that's a good thing but I am afraid that its popularity will spoil the market. Rumour says that big commercial companies show more than normal interest in this neighbourhood. Lets's hope that somone or something will stop this development so that these streets don't lose their charme.

BARACK OBAMA DAY

19

Today, nineteen years ago I gave birth to my daughter Emma. In nineteen years this is the first birthday without a cake, balloons and garlands. Emma is breaking away from home and childhood at the other side of the world. Leaving me sentimental but proud.

Entre les murs

An impressive French film about one year in a classroom filled with puberty of different cultures in a Parisian suburb. The students are all non professional actors who, brilliantly directed by Laurent Cantet, show 100% believable characters. There's a lot in this film that triggers discusion. The vulnerability of the teacher is shocking. And how on earth can you create an atmosphere where you can do what you want to do; teaching your subject. It is a constant struggle and a daily fight. It makes you wonder why someone wants to become a teacher at all. It cannot be the high salary or the early retirement.

birdies

These cute little birds are continuously changing colours. Little smiley presents to give away. For sale at the HEMA