Okay, I figured out the pictures!!

Day Two - Amsterdam

So, day one was a write off - with the time change and long flight, we had just enough energy for a walk to the amazing library, had lunch on the 7th floor over looking the port and came back to our hotel, checked in and crashed.  We are at the Movenpick Hotel - just amazing.  They have an energy saving concept I have never heard of before - when swipe into your room, you insert your card in the electricity panel and that is how your lights turn on.  When you take your card out to leave, all electricity is cut off. Unique!

Anyway, today we took a walking tour of the city centre.  We saw some incredible architecture and learned a lot about Amsterdam.  There are many leaning buildings here - they are slowly sinking and shifting because they are built on sand.  I didn't realize how many canals there are here - I thought Venice was the canal capital but Amsterdam has over 100kms of canals.  We took a canal cruise this afternoon where was saw the city from another angle.  Lined up many of the canals are houseboats that are year-long homes to many residents.  After the cruise, we navigated the tram system and went to the Van Gogh museum where we saw the famous originals of Vincent, Edvard Munch and Paul Gaugin - fascinating.

Finished the day off with a nice steak dinner and a pitcher of Heineken - cheaper than coffee! :)  Back at our hotel, munching Tylenol and resting to start over again tomorrow.

Going on Vacation

So, we haven't been on holidays in a very long time and DH is dragging me kicking and screaming on a European River Cruise........(I know..........poor me!)  This should be interesting.  Since I'm not big on posting vacation pics on Facebook while away, I thought I would revive the blog to keep the family abreast of our daily travels. We start in Amsterdam and finish in Budapest - Viking, here we come!

Back after a long absence.....

I haven't blogged in a very long while.........a good friend has been battling cancer this year, hubby has had some serious health issues and we welcomed a new granddaughter into our hearts this fall. Have been perusing some blogs that are participating in the Magnolia Christmas Hop and ran across this awesome blog candy by Kylie. Thought this might be a good time to get back into posting. This candy closes on December 20th, so hop on over while there's time and take part. Kylie will inspire you with her creativity!

Happy Birthday Michelle!

My baby girl turns 32 tomorrow...........how the heck did THAT happen??  Enjoyed a nice lunch with her today and loved seeing her little 'baby bump' now evident - she and her wonderful husband are providing me with another grandchild later this year and I couldn't be more pleased!  Made her this little card and thought I would enter it into LOTV's Spring Challenge #90  It has a wonderful, sunny spring feel to it so I hope it qualifies.  Just recently purchased my first shipment of seven LOTV stamps and they are fabulous!!  (You notice I said 'first' shipment - I'm sure it won't be my last!!)  The weather is finally starting to warm up here in Southern Ontario and I'm hoping to get some yard work done tomorrow.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!!

Angie's Awesome Candy!!!

Don't miss out on this one - Angie Hunt from Scrapgirl is offering the most amazing blog candy prize - If you want to learn to watercolor with distress inks, then this is the CANDY for you!!!  Angie is offering one free membership to her Distress Inks Class 1 on CMC Classroom.  Angie is an amazing talent and this is an awesome prize that I would JUST LOVE TO WIN!!!

Thanks so much Angie for offering this great prize! 

Jacque B. is celebrating and would like us all to join her!!!

The lovely and very talented Jacque has been selected to be part of the Design Team for Lili of the Valley. They obviously know what they're doing over there as we, who have all been witness to Jacque's amazing creations, can attest to!  The new collection is being released on January 11th, but in the meantime, Jacque is offering her own Sweet Stuff' in celebration of her exciting news, which will run until Sunday, January 9th!!

Also, in her typically 'sweet' way, Jacque is offering a Follower's Sweet Stuff prize as a thank you to all who have helped her in her own personal journey this past year.  Speaking for myself, this was VERY easy to do as we cheered from the sidelines for this wonderful and inspirational lady to successfully cross the finish line.  Jacque, YOU ROCK!!!  This sweet candy will be running until January 7th.