I’m not sure what to say about 2013. So many things happened and some were bad.

But there were good things too. And I want to remember those moments, since that’s what matters, and that’s what I want to remember.

 The garden, our trips to Curaçao, having my 6th and 7th book out, finishing some things in the house that have been on my list for ages, spending time with the people most important in my life.

I guess it was a good year after all.

I can’t find the words to describe the last few days.
It was just good. Very good.

Oh my, that was some week!

On Monday and Tuesday we moved our office back home (and tried to fit everything in), on Wednesday I did the groceryshopping for the weekend (including a birthday) and some cleaning, on Thursday I cooked soups and prepared some other stuff for the big birthday, on Friday and Saturday I helped my parents move into their new apartment and on Sunday we celebrated our youngest girl’s 21st birthday.

Phew! We survived the busiest part of the month…

Last night we had all girls home. D, who has her own flat, stayed over because E, who studies in Durham, came home for the holidays.

This morning I cooked breakfast for five. And enjoyed it very much.

This week will be busy too, but different. Mostly cleaning.
My body, since I did a lot of emotional eating and if I want to celebrate Christmas without head aches and vague sickness, I need to be more aware of what I eat from now on.
And my home, since all I did for weeks was a bit of quick cleaning to make it look good. Some deep cleaning is in order now. And I’m starting with the living room, so I can finally put the tree up after I’m done.

So, I’m off to clean now 😉

One of the good things of these short, short days are the stunning sunrises and sunsets we get. Love those.

(sunrise December 5 en sunset December 8)

Oh my, this month… So busy, so chaotic. But I’m getting there. Next week may be better.
I did start a new project. I loved the yarn the girls gave me this Sinterklaas so much that I decided to keep some for myself and make pillowcases out of them. It’s going slowly, but one row at a time, I’m adding some happy colors to my living room.

Sometimes it’s so easy to just check off things off the big list and move on to the next thing to check off. But you’d miss all the fun that way. You have to try and really be there and if possible document and remember these moments.
So here’s another series of pictures of another Sinterklaas evening, before I move on to birthday celebrating, helping people moving and preparing for Christmas.  It was just four of us (the girl in Durham had a Sinterklaas meet with other Dutch students) but it was good.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

:: making a mess in my kitchen

:: but managing to clean it all up in time. Sweets were ready long before company (my parents and my sistere and her family) arrived

:: a girl at college on the other side of the North Sea (Durham) that celebrated with us through Skype.

:: the mess that is part of the fun

It was a good night.