http://malouprestado.com and loving it Sat, 25 May 2013 15:55:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://0.gravatar.com/blavatar/4feadd2985d0861e9195f469d03d522b?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png http://malouprestado.com http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/24/playing-tourist-in-amsterdam-with-my-cousinhttpmalouprestado-comp9420previewtrue/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/24/playing-tourist-in-amsterdam-with-my-cousinhttpmalouprestado-comp9420previewtrue/#comments Fri, 24 May 2013 12:22:00 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=9420 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/24/playing-tourist-in-amsterdam-with-my-cousinhttpmalouprestado-comp9420previewtrue/feed/ 39 malouprestado Horse-drawn carriages in front of the Royal Palace My cousin in front of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam Impressive interior. This is the room where Queen Beatrix signed the Act of Abdication in favor of her son last April 30. Coat of arms of the Dutch provinces and territories Impressive interior of the royal palace Inside the royal palace Inside the royal palace A painting of Queen Wilhelmina Royal bedroom - wouldn't mind staying overnight here. ;-) Impressive chandeliers High ceiling and chandelier Inside the royal palace The Amsterdam Central train station Inside a Delft blue souvenir shop With a huge wooden "klompen" outside a souvenir shop Among wooden "klompen" Flower shop My cousin at one of the many canals in Amsterdam Trying out the raw herring sandwich "Broodje harring" A very typical Dutch "bakfiets" One of the many Amsterdam canals Amsterdam Amsterdam My cousin in Amsterdam The Begijnhof Inside the Roman Catholic Church at the Begijnhof Going Medieval??? A bit of retail therapy Trying out the different types of cheeses Different types of cheeses at the souvenir shop (In)famous Dutch coffee shops Red Light District Strangely enough, there are several huge churches at the Red Light District Everything goes in Amsterdam -- not a surprise to see a stunt what this guy pulled for onlookers -- a moony. http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/10/images-from-keukenhof-part-2/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/10/images-from-keukenhof-part-2/#comments Fri, 10 May 2013 16:50:38 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=9352 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/10/images-from-keukenhof-part-2/feed/ 63 malouprestado My flower paradise every spring time - Keukenhof Tulips island on a sea of white blooms Light yellow tulips Tulips and other blooms are planted in amazing patterns Red and whites Flower mosaic Amazing harmony of blooms and colors Dainty pink multi-petaled tulip Beauty all around which I cannot ignore... White tulip Floral quilt White tulips among muscaris The amazing harmony of colors and how the gardeners can make them bloom in perfect timing always amazes me. There's no ugly corner in Keukenhof. No wonder that I cannot stop my fingers clicking. ;-) Fountains lines by multi-colored tulips Daffodils Red tulips Pink tulip among the muscaris Busy bee White daffodils Multi-petaled tulips Multi-petaled tulips White and dark red petaled tulip Red tulips Red tulips Other spring blooms http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/08/images-from-keukenhof-part-1/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/08/images-from-keukenhof-part-1/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 07:37:35 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=9248 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/05/08/images-from-keukenhof-part-1/feed/ 87 malouprestado Our family in Keukenhof Rows and rows of spring blooms Reds and yellows Whites and oranges Reds and peaches Heady hyacinths Me and my little girl Father and daughter Little girl among the daffodils Daffodils Daffodils The Mr. and me Father and daughter Flowery path My little girl My little girl Our family Dancing diva Checking out the pond Magnolias Hiding behind the tree My little girl Happy little girl Hyacinths Multi-petaled pink tulip Pink hyacinths Tulips Peach tulips Red Tulip Orange tulips Tree tops from the ground White blooms White tulip Fountain http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/14/a-very-dutch-journey-through-time/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/14/a-very-dutch-journey-through-time/#comments Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:24:00 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8857 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/14/a-very-dutch-journey-through-time/feed/ 56 malouprestado Typical Dutch village along the route from Medemblik to Hoorn. Tulip fields in full bloom is a typical springtime scenery. The harbor of Enkhuizen where our journey started one cloudy Sunday in end-April last year. The museum boat "Friesland" plies the Enkhuizen to Medemblik route. My parents-in-law traveled in this very same boat forty years ago when it used to ply the Harlingen-Terschelling route. Francesca enjoying her warm chocolate drink with whipped cream. Our family inside the "Friesland". Francesca with opa. The Mr. with his mom. Almost forty hears ago, he was roaming around this boat with his mom and dad, just like Francesca now. Me Francesca with opa and oma checking out the map of our journey. The harbor of Medemblik. Hubby and his dad. The steam train in Medemblik that will take us later to Hoorn. Other travelers with us on the boat rushed to this well-known chocolate shop in Medemblik. We opted to look for a restaurant to have a quick lunch before taking the steam train to Hoorn. Francesca checking out the menu card. Our choice was this Dutch favorite - the Uitsmijter. Francesca has other ideas for the cucumber. ;-) Medemblik one cloudy Sunday. Francesca with opa and oma. Medemblik one cloudy Sunday. A lady in period costume. Our train at a crossing with a windmill in the background. An old lady in period costume. She explained the many aspect of Dutch way of life from earlier times, down to the many things in her costume which reflect the very Calvinistic way of life in the old days. Women were not supposed to be idle so while traveling, they were expected to do some sewing or knitting. The train station of the village of Opperdoes, well-known for the very yummy potatoes that we all love. Typical North Holland farm house. Dutch countryside scenery -- Dutch cows grazing in the meadow. Tulip fields in full bloom dotted the route from Medemblik to Hoorn. Tulip fields in the distance. Tulip fields Orchards in full bloom. Francesca with opa and a guy in period costume. Finally arriving in Hoorn with this couple in period costume. http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/07/medieval-elburg-some-summers-ago/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/07/medieval-elburg-some-summers-ago/#comments Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:01:38 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8867 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/07/medieval-elburg-some-summers-ago/feed/ 45 malouprestado The Vischpoort in Elburg The harbor Traditional wooden boats anchored at the harbor in Elburg You can judge how warm the day was from this picture... ;-) Terrace restaurants filled to the brim because of the Annual Market Day My favorite arched bridge View from the bridge View from one side of the bridge of the canal bank planted with flowers A closer look at the arched bridge Another angle of the bridge Lotus-filled canal Ducks lay their eggs on this basket A very sweet dog we met while having our stroll along the canal. Francesca was charmed by this sweet dog. They became instant friends Best of friends some summers ago... Wild blooms everywhere Ducks Lotus blooms Father and daughter Father and daughter Francesca Everything was just so green and beautiful... Hibiscus Francesca with her ice cream Me and my little girl Me and my little girl Plant arrangement in the shape of a sail boat Me and my little girl Dutch cheeses Mustard Smoked fish sold by this bearded gentleman Cheeses Wild boar stew sold with compote from wild berries -- products of the Veluwe, the forested area in the center of the Netherlands. Strawberries Apple juice and cider from apple orchard in the polder (reclaimed land from the sea). Fresh summer fruits Speculaas - Dutch spice cookies A harp player providing entertainment to visitors of Elburg Cozy windows Cozy row houses Lunch of fried eel Francesca's choice of bread with friend egg The sky when it was time to leave... http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/06/exploring-medieval-elburg-one-chilly-second-easter-day/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/06/exploring-medieval-elburg-one-chilly-second-easter-day/#comments Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:09:11 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8813 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/06/exploring-medieval-elburg-one-chilly-second-easter-day/feed/ 55 malouprestado The Mr. along the harbor in Elburg The harbor of Elburg under blue skies and fair weather clouds. The Mr. in Elburg Moi The Vischpoort -- Elburg was a fortified town and this is one of the gates. This canal is looking empty but in summer it is covered with blooming lotuses. The Vischpoort from inside the fortified town of Elburg. Portion of the main street which has a canal lined by trees in the middle. Looking quite forlorn at the moment, these houses are amazingly picturesque in summer from all the blooming plants. The Church and remnants of the old fortification. Moi Normally these buds will be exploding already at this time of the year. Had to still wait a while this time... Another angle of the church The Mr. at the Jewish cemetery which we discovered this time. Jewish cemetery The marker at the entrance of the Jewish Cemetery says that the people buried here were together in life and also in death -- victims of the cruelties of the WWII. Croci on extended stay because of the chilly weather. Purple crocus The Mr. in Elburg The Dutch Reformed Church Elburg Doorstep of the first Christian elementary school in Elburg. Building is from the end of the 17th century. Picture taken from the dike surrounding Elburg. The Mr. and me Always a big fan of arched bridges -- couldn't resist taking this picture. Moi I love this type of building -- old farmhouse style. Finally it was time for some cappuccino... We shared this cake -- a very Dutch thing I guess. ;-) Candle and flowers always make the table cozy...typical Dutch concept of "gezelligheid". http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/03/chilly-easter-egg-hunt/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/03/chilly-easter-egg-hunt/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:44:50 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8727 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/04/03/chilly-easter-egg-hunt/feed/ 46 malouprestado The Easter egg hunters The egg painters The little gang of egg painters Soon to be three -- now officially joining in the fun. Francesca at work My husband officially declaring the start of the egg hunt The kids in frantic search for the Easter eggs Eggs! Eggs were hidden all over and the enthusiastic kids' energy were boundless Egg hunters Some eggs were buried in the sand Francesca in search for eggs Kids darting off to the next island of trees to search for more eggs Easter bunny Delight at every egg find Soesterduinen -- such a perfect location for egg hunt and picnic Sands and trees -- perfect spot for kids to play Tree climbing Tree climbing Francesca being shown how to play frisbee Picnic under the shade of pine trees Grown ups enjoy some catch-up Pix with the neighbors Pix with the neighbors One happy family A piece of wood can be a fantastic toy for kids Kids having so much fun with this piece of wood Francesca with her friends Our family Another happy couple -- their two boys were so pre-occupied with the egg hunt to join for this shoot At some point, the kids started to have their little arguments The chilly temp at some point started to wear down the kids Heading home -- tired Francesca on her father's back http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/29/what-happened-to-spring/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/29/what-happened-to-spring/#comments Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:51:46 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8612 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/29/what-happened-to-spring/feed/ 68 malouprestado Snow-covered "forget me not" blooms Dutch flower fields - typical spring scenery Easter egg hunt from 2 years ago -- weather was warm then, almost like summer so the kids had so much fun with the egg hunt Egg hunt from 2 years ago -- we're longing for that weather this time. Forecast for Sunday is not so encouraging at just around 5 degrees Celsius at the warmest Forget-me-nots with snow dusting Snow bells Snow-covered blooms Forget-me-not Forget-me-nots Snow-dusted forget-me-not Grape hyacinth Snow dusting on old flower remnants Snow-covered leaves Snow dusted plants Snow-covered bloom My little girl and her little bouquet of croci Picking some crocus from a nearby green spot Croci Crocus Francesca http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/27/caramel-popcorn/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/27/caramel-popcorn/#comments Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:34:56 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8669 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/27/caramel-popcorn/feed/ 42 malouprestado Caramel popcorn Plain popcorn - popped from 1/2 cup raw popcorn and 1/4 cup oil Caramel is made from 125 grams butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsps. honey and a pinch of salt Caramel is done when it reaches amber color, around 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat Caramel is poured over the popcorn until evenly coated http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/24/picnic-and-fishing-at-the-dordogne-river/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/24/picnic-and-fishing-at-the-dordogne-river/#comments Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:48:02 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8616 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/24/picnic-and-fishing-at-the-dordogne-river/feed/ 17 malouprestado Picnic under the shade of trees by the river bank makes for perfect summer memories Fishing for baby trout in the Dordogne River Picnic of French bread accompanied by creamy butter, cheese and terrine Opa and Oma Father and daughter fishing for baby trouts Francesca with her catch of trout that went into the bottle filled with water (she later released them back in the river) This boy joined her in the fishing expedition The fish catchers Fishing in action -- the trouts were quite fast Two excited fish catchers Birds in the sky Other holiday makers Aiming for the baby trouts The fish catchers http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/15/chateau-de-hautefort-and-its-gardens/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/15/chateau-de-hautefort-and-its-gardens/#comments Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:19:15 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7028 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/15/chateau-de-hautefort-and-its-gardens/feed/ 56 malouprestado Chateau de Hautefort We enjoyed our picnic lunch at the foothills of this chateau -- under the shade of walnut trees. Impressive gardens of the chateau -- geometric shapes, topiaries... Parterre garden of Chateau de Hautefort Chateau de Hautefort Our family Francesca's idea of family picture Another angle of the chateau Topiaries Topiaries Chateau de Hautefort One facet of the garden and the village of Hautefort below At the chateau's entrance Our family Another angle of the garden The garden Mam Sil smelling the flowers Beautiful dahlias were in bloom during our visit Opa and Francesca Oma and Francesca The chateau Chateau de Hautefort One of the bedrooms open for public viewing Another accessible room at the chateau A peek into the bygone era A tunnel inside the chateau The chateau's door Chateau de Hautefort Opa and Francesca at the chateau's gift shop Opa's present from the chateau's shop Opa and oma Roses Pink bloom Butterfly Red roses Yellow blooms Pink blooms Blue flowers French summer basket Wishing well??? My little girl http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/10/market-day-in-sarlat-la-caneda/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/10/market-day-in-sarlat-la-caneda/#comments Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:22:15 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=8022 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/10/market-day-in-sarlat-la-caneda/feed/ 51 malouprestado Lunch in Sarlat-la-Caneda Sarlat's city centre Sarlat's city centre Sarlat's city centre Cake and coffee celebration of Dad's birthday My little girl wanted this toy so much Walnut cake Raspberry cake Lemon cake Dordogne's cakes and pastries Dordogne's cakes and pastries Admiring the macaroons Cakes and pastries A stall selling dried sausages Dried herbs and spices Spices Dried spices Bags And more bags Walnuts And nutcracker Cheeses Bamboo-based utensils Old books Dried fruits Honey A local artist Sarlat Cathedral Ivy-covered old house Sarlat Sarlat Pink roses Outdoor restaurants My little girl Ivy-covered building Narrow streets Outdoor restaurant Former church turned market place Narrow street Sarlat Facade of an old building Sarlat Sarlat My little girl A taste of Holland in Sarlat Summer outfit My little girl French bread French omelet My prawn flambee Father and daughter Dad buying mom's French basket Sunflowers Sunflower and its bee friend Sunflowers Me and my little girl Sunflowers http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/06/the-overhanging-gardens-of-chateau-de-marqueyssac/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/06/the-overhanging-gardens-of-chateau-de-marqueyssac/#comments Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:33:19 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7880 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/06/the-overhanging-gardens-of-chateau-de-marqueyssac/feed/ 55 malouprestado Carved boxwood trees - Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac Carved boxwood trees Among the carved boxwood trees Trees and carved boxwood trees My little girl Chateau de Marqueyssac Carved boxwood trees Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac Chateau de Marqueyssac My little girl Inside the chateau Inside the chateau Inside the chateau Oma and Francesca Opa and Francesca Chateau de Beynac in the distance The medieval fortress of Chateau de Castelnaud Lovely medieval villages along the Dordogne River Playground Playground Chapel at the chateau's ground Oma ensuring that Francesca does not fall over the cliff Curious visitors checking out what's inside the chapel Alley of santolina and rosemary Another chateau as seen from Marqueyssac Hut made of stones Tree house Tree house Water system to maintain the gardens wooden shop articles wooden shop articles shop articles Lovely shop articles Family picnic Francesca with Opa and Oma http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/03/opa-and-oma-joins-us-on-holiday/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/03/opa-and-oma-joins-us-on-holiday/#comments Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:08:26 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7769 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/03/03/opa-and-oma-joins-us-on-holiday/feed/ 31 malouprestado Oma!!!! Oma!!! So happy to have you here, Oma! "Opa, you are here at last!" Can't wait to check out presents from the grandparents. Le Chambellan Canopy of grapes under which we would later have a lovely dinner Charming Le Chambellan Cozy window panes and lavender in bloom Beautiful skies Cozy nook and corner at Le Chambellan Le Chambellan courtyard Summer blooms Le Chambellan courtyard Oma and Francesca at our camping Oma and Opa Opa and oma with Francesca at our camping place Oma and Francesca Stone-throwing Stone-throwing Opa and Oma at the Dordogne River Oma and Francesca at the playground beside the Dordogne River Shallow waters of the Dordogne River Dordogne River Stone-throwing Looking for flat stones Waiting for dinner Steak and fries Typical Dordogne dish -- Duck Chocolate dessert Strawberry dessert Dessert Francesca Our family Weary but happy after the long trip -- bus, train, plane and car all in one day to reach France This cat at Le Chambellan is a cutie. Francesca find this cat a real cutie. http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/27/the-gardens-of-the-manor-of-eyrignac/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/27/the-gardens-of-the-manor-of-eyrignac/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:12:29 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7499 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/27/the-gardens-of-the-manor-of-eyrignac/feed/ 61 malouprestado Topiaries at Eyrignac Sculptured plants at the Gardens of the Manor of Eyrignac Sculptured plants at Eyrignac Fruit-bearing trees Father and daughter Shop and entrance to the gardens Restaurant at the manor Topiaries and box embroideries Star corner The gardens of the Manor of Eyrignac Sculptured plants Topiaries and plant boxes Ivy-covered building Centuries-old chapel View from inside the chapel The chapel's altar The little girl inside the chapel Sculptured plants Plant sculptures The little girl among sculptured plant boxes Our family Chinese pagoda Sculptured arches My idea of a countryside home and garden Plant arches and flower garden I can spend hours here in pure delight Field of wild blooms My little girl Our family My little girl Wild blooms zinnia Dahlia Lilly Butterfly Not sure what this flower is called but was pretty interesting Bee Busy bee Butterfly among wild blooms Pruned apple trees Wild blooms Dahlias Fountains Perigord Noir countryside from the Eyrignac gardens My little girl Father and daughter Enjoying the pricey milkshake on a very warm day Our family Goodies from the gardens' shop Goodies from the gardens' shop http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/24/market-day-in-le-bugue/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/24/market-day-in-le-bugue/#comments Sun, 24 Feb 2013 10:11:38 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7125 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/24/market-day-in-le-bugue/feed/ 60 malouprestado Fresh produce Le Bugue Le Bugue The Vezere River Bridge spanning the Vezere River in Le Bugue The Vezere River Admiring the trinkets Trying out a hat Checking out the toys Wood-carved slingshots -- I played with them a lot as a child Wood crafts Wood crafts Bread stall Stall for roast chicken Artichokes Sun-riped tomatoes Radishes Paprikas Red paprikas Green plums Preserved lemons Olives Garlic in herbs and olive oil Olives Black olives Sun-dried tomatoes in herbs and olive oil Seafood stall Snails Mussels Fish Baskets Baskets Got myself a French basket http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/22/exploring-paulliac-and-the-medoc-wine-areas/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/22/exploring-paulliac-and-the-medoc-wine-areas/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:08:53 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7376 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/22/exploring-paulliac-and-the-medoc-wine-areas/feed/ 59 malouprestado The little girl among the wild flowers One of the many vineyards and wine chateaus Paulliac Seafood paella Seafood lunch The harbor of Paulliac The Gironde Estuary - it's mineral-rich waters could be the reason why the wine in this area is special. Our family She's one little comic Also a good tattoo artist And an acrobat Father and daughter Father and daughter Paulliac Wine chateau Me and my little girl Prized grapes Vineyards Father and daughter Father and daughter Wine chateau A little girl in the vineyard A cross structure in the middle of the vineyard Field of wild blooms Can't resist to do flower-picking My little girl among wild blooms Flower girl Father and daughter Our family Flower girl Of course, she loves lady bugs Fort Medoc Entrance of Fort Medoc Display of period costumes inside the main building of Fort Medoc A bit of history on Fort Medoc http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/18/enchanting-bruges/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/18/enchanting-bruges/#comments Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:05:31 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7130 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/18/enchanting-bruges/feed/ 99 malouprestado Romantic Bruges at night The Mr. and me in Bruges Canals at night Bruges at night Bruges at night Bruges at night Bruges at night Bruges Bruges Romantic canals and bridges Bruges Centuries-old buildings One can explore the city on horse-driven carriage Centuries-old buildings Canals A favorite bridge Boat rides Us Signage at the entrance of the Begijnhof The Begijnhof was the place where women and children stayed while the men went on to fight in the Holy Land during the Crusades. Today, nuns are its residents. Inside the church in the Begijnhof The market square One of the many streets leading to the market square Chocolates and pralines for which the Belgians are known for the world over A few of the hundreds of beer choices Belgian beer Belgian beers Beer flavored cheese Beer-flavored eggnog Belgian pralines Cupcakes Horse-drawn carriages near the Begijnhof Bruges Hand-woven Bruges laces One of the many churches in the city Us http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/14/wines-and-macaroons-in-saint-emilion/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/14/wines-and-macaroons-in-saint-emilion/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:42:32 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7265 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/14/wines-and-macaroons-in-saint-emilion/feed/ 39 malouprestado Saint-Emilion Saint-Emilion One of the many wine cellars The road leading to "The King's Castle's Keep" Father and daughter climbed this well-preserved 13th century keep. Father and daughter climbing the King's Castle Keep Our family Sunflower fields along the way Vineyards Me and my little girl Salad Entrecote steak with fries Main course of the plat du jour Warm chocolate cake with summer fruit compote Ice cream dessert Father and daughter Saint-Emilion Father and daughter The Bell Tower of the Monolithic Church Church interior Taking a peak of the church courtyard The Mr. always finds interesting the geological history of the stone blocks used for this church Narrow street Saint-Emilion Museum My little girl Me and my little girl Raspberry macaroons Passion fruit macaroons Rose macaroons http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/13/monets-home-and-garden-in-giverny/ http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/13/monets-home-and-garden-in-giverny/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:37:57 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=7135 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2013/02/13/monets-home-and-garden-in-giverny/feed/ 99 malouprestado Monet's home in Giverny Water lilies at Monet's garden in Giverny Bridge over a pond of water lilies Water lilies - inspiration for his many paintings Yellow water lilies Our family Well tended garden with flowers carefully organized to bloom from spring to fall Monet's garden is paradise to butterflies My little girl Pink blooms zinnia Roses One of the many summer blooms Monet's home from his garden Flowers everywhere Water lilies Pink zinnia Dahlias Monet's home from the garden My little girl The Mr. outside Monet's home Moi Water lilies pond Monet's garden Yellow blooms Monet's garden Bamboos Monet's garden in Giverny http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/27/fishery-day-observance-in-spakenburg/ http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/27/fishery-day-observance-in-spakenburg/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:06:55 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=6848 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/27/fishery-day-observance-in-spakenburg/feed/ 116 malouprestado Spakenburg wooden boats and fish catch ready for smoking Raised sails on the wooden masts The mayor and the women of Spakenburg Laundry-drying Thick woolen socks that go well with the wooden clogs "klompen" The dry dock at the harbor Spakenburg women Francesca and me with the Spakenburg ladies Spakenburg children Spakenburg girl Fish auction house Father and daughter with smoked mackerel bought at the auction Smoking of fish is a traditional way of preserving them in the old days but is still very much in practice to this day My little girl playing with the fish net Spankenburg ladies and Spakenburg textiles The traditional way of cleaning raw herring - head is removed as well as the bones then eaten with chopped onions and pickles Spakenburg ladies Spakenburg http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/10/discovering-the-atlantic/ http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/10/discovering-the-atlantic/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:30:32 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=6883 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/10/discovering-the-atlantic/feed/ 93 malouprestado First glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean Wide beach and hilly dunes The road leading to the ocean - tough on the calves but the sheer beauty of this place was worth the hard walk The Atlantic Ocean from the dunes The dunes with its amazing flora and the blue waters of the Atlantic One of the many interesting floras in the dunes The beach, the dunes and the immense sky The ocean, beach and dunes underneath the immense sky The beach, the ocean and the immense sky Golden sand, turquoise water and blue skies The dunes and the Atlantic Ocean Father and daughter heading to the beach Footprints in the sand Despite the absence of coconut trees, the Atlantic has other charms like this dune teeming with amazing flora The Atlantic and its dunes Shells... Father and daughter all poised to test the water The little girl attempting to surf (inspired by a Barbie film she'd seen) The little girl with her Dora floater Our shelter from the sun and wind in this very empty beach Our family Our family Fun in the sand Sheer delight for the little girl Father and daughter Papa's girl Papa's girl Father and daughter enjoying the water http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/07/camping-life/ http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/07/camping-life/#comments Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:42:35 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=6841 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/07/camping-life/feed/ 54 malouprestado Dinner time - our simple dinner fare consisted of rice, fried mackerel and salad Dinner preparation -- rice and fried mackerel Fried mackerel Fresh salad Card game and warm drinks while waiting for the fresh bread that will be available at 8:30 am. Sampling the croissant Our little camper At the camp playground with other children Lots of fun between these two girls though one speaks Dutch and the other one is French A friendship is born despite the language barrier Two girls enjoying a beautiful friendship These two girls tried table tennis but .... most times were busy picking the ball from the ground Very determined table tennis players http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/04/french-pride-on-their-local-products/ http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/04/french-pride-on-their-local-products/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:49:30 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=6760 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/04/french-pride-on-their-local-products/feed/ 56 malouprestado French wines French wines and spirits Various types of honey Various sorts of caramels Caramels Cookies and sweets French hand-painted chinas Hand-painted ceramics Hand-painted ceramics Various shop merchandise http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/02/our-first-foray-exploring-the-area-around-arcachon-bay/ http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/02/our-first-foray-exploring-the-area-around-arcachon-bay/#comments Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:41:03 +0000 Malou http://malouprestado.com/?p=6758 ]]> http://malouprestado.com/2012/09/02/our-first-foray-exploring-the-area-around-arcachon-bay/feed/ 58 malouprestado The little princess gathering oyster shells on the shores of Arcachon Bay (Cap Ferret) Arcachon Bay on a cloudy day which would later clear up The little princess with her haul of oyster shells Giving her haul of oyster shells to her father for safekeeping Excitedly rushing to the water Time to go swimming A little stop at the playground near the beach Waiting for our order at the restaurant Fresh bread Very yummy "Pate de maison" Mussels and fries Sauteed squid served with rice and fennel Tiramisu Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream Savoring her ice cream She charmed the waiter at the restaurant so she got this foldable hat as a present She got sidetracked by this picture Father and daughter Flower of passion fruit Dill flowers Peach colored oleanders One of the many blooms common in the area Supermarket scene -- langostines Supermarket scene - snails Supermarket scene - lobsters Supermarket scene - crabs Supermarket scene - lobsters Supermarket scene - lobsters Supermarket scene - sardines Supermarket scene - crabs Supermarket scene - shrimps Supermarket scene - oysters Supermarket scene - squid Supermarket scene - snails Supermarket scene - mackerels Supermarket scene - fish Supermarket scene - 1-kilo steak cuts Supermarket scene - dried sausages