January 27, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 14 – final day in Holland

Today was a sad day. While I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet and visit with my family in Holland, I must say it was hard to leave. They are absolutely wonderful – every last one of them. It was fun to share family stories, look at their wedding photos, reminisce about my […]

January 27, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 13 – Photoshoot in Amsterdam

How often do I get to say that? Not nearly enough! This summer, I met Ingrid at one of my weddings, and found her to be absolutely lovely, both inside and out. We connected, built a friendship, and when I knew I was coming to Europe, I contacted her and said “hey, if I come […]

January 26, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 12 – Touring with Hein

On Monday I got to spend the day roaming around with cousin Hein while he measured for stairs – the brothers are trappenmakers – stair makers, and as I found out, not just any stairs. They do amazing, beautiful work and are featured in places like The Hague, and so many other amazing spots. These […]

January 26, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 11 – The Netherlands!!!

This day was the realization of a life long dream – to visit the home villages of my Grandmother and Grandfather…..Zaandam & Halfweg. I can’t even begin to describe how powerful that moment was when I saw the places where I “came from,” so to speak, and to experience a bit of the Dutch culture. […]

January 22, 2011 by Lizzie

day 10 – new friends

Today was a day for driving out into the back country. WAY back. We left Madrid, entered Guadalajara, then went through this small town, then this small village, and through a windy road back back back up in the hills….to a lovely little home for a bbq – spanish style, with jamon, pan, chorizo, more […]

January 21, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 9 – Ribera del Duero

You know me, you know I love my wine. If you really know me, you know I love my Spanish wine. And if you love to drink wine with me, you know I love my ribera del dueros. So today was uh-maze-ing, in the simple fact that I got to visit this region of Spain’s […]

January 20, 2011 by Lizzie

day 8 – Aranjuez

Day 7 was a day “in” while Maria and Nico packed up to leave for Argentina. Had to say adios to my little man….and all the lovely snuggles coos & smiles I was receiving. Day 8 – Aranjuez, the spring palace of the Kings & Queens of Spain (now just an historical/tourist location). Gorgeous palace […]

January 18, 2011 by Lizzie

no words today

January 17, 2011 by Lizzie

Day 5 – un dia tranquilo

Today was a nice quiet day for a Monday (I had to think about it BEING a monday)….we hung around the flat, I took Nico’s portraits, and then went for a brisk walk around an area of Madrid I explored a few years ago. El Corte Ingles – the store with everything, that is everywhere […]

January 16, 2011 by Lizzie

day 4 – con familia

Today was a day out into the Sierras to Cercedilla (where I spent most of my last trip here) with the family – got to see Rapha again, meet his lovely wife Cristina, and their six month old son, Santiago. Now I have to edit previous posts about the cutest baby in Spain to say […]