Join my Joy

~~Some SnapShots~~

2012-02-05T20:50:00.001+01:00

If everything was easy, nothing would be worth it

Last week I stumbled upon this quote and these wise words ..

The things in life that we work the hardest for, will be the things in life that we will remember and cherish the most, while the things in life that come to us with no struggle, will be memories that we will remember sparingly

~ xx ~

2012-01-28T13:30:00.001+01:00

Do not Forget small Kindnesses

and

do not Remember small Faults

Chinese proverb

Today's Treat

2012-01-19T10:40:00.002+01:00

We can not do great things

We can only do little things with great love

My TOdays little TreaT

enJOYing it with GreaT LoVe

>^.~<

Oh Happy Day !

2012-01-11T20:05:00.005+01:00

Do what makes you Happy

Be with who makes you Smile

Laugh as much as you Breathe

Love as long as you Live

HappY New Year !

2012-01-02T19:43:00.001+01:00

The truth is that life is delicious, horrible, charming, frightful, sweet, bitter,

and that is everything

Anatole France

Happy, Happy New Year

May 2012 be full of joy, laughter and lots of beautiful moments !

The countdown has started ..

2011-12-29T15:17:00.001+01:00

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -

the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile,

a kind look, a heart-felt compliment,

and the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and genial feeling

S.T. Coleridge

The countdown has started ..

Let's enjoy these last days of 2011 to the fullest !

a Merry 4th week of Advent !

2011-12-18T11:11:00.001+01:00

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

Live the life you’ve imagined

Henry David Thoreau

A wonderful thought for the upcoming New Year

Wishing you all a merry merry 4th week of Advent !

On top of my piano

2011-12-10T13:22:00.002+01:00

This lovely book called 'The Mouse Mansion'

by Karina Schaapman

It makes a great Christmas gift !

~*~

My tree is up, have you had your Christmas tree up yet?

Warmest Winter Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend !

Red reddish

2011-11-29T20:51:00.000+01:00

More & more red enters my home ..

xx

Before you act, listen
Before you react, think
Before you spend, earn
Before you criticize, wait
Before you pray, forgive
Before you quit, try

Ernest Hemingway

~~ Happy Weekend ~~

2011-11-25T14:56:00.001+01:00

wishing you a weekend filled with

~ relaxation ~

~ good books (or fun magazines) ~

~ an adventure or two ~

and

~ sweet people to pass the time with ~

This is your world

2011-11-21T20:57:00.005+01:00

This is your world.

Shape it or someone else will !

Autumn is in full swing

We have been covered with fog for a couple of days and

it will stay that way for a while

Where oh where have I been?

I don't know

doing this and that

running here and there

I am back

off to get back in touch with all you beautiful souls out here

Have a shapely and sweet new week !

Reach for the stars

2011-11-10T00:09:00.001+01:00

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.

Always remember, you have within you the strength,

the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

~Harriet Tubman~

*~*

Good news for Martina and Carolyn .. you won my giveaway, congratulations!

I have a Spring bouquet for Carolyn and an Autumn bouquet for Martina (^.-)

Martina ~ M's Art Impressions

Carolyn ~ Little Bear Studio

-xx-

Giveaway

2011-11-01T10:56:00.001+01:00

I came across this little angel and could not leave her behind

I am officially in the Christmas mood

Two will fly the world to you

+ 6 Dutchy magnets

Just leave a comment on this post

the two winning names will be picked November 10th

Happy Month of November !

It's beginning to ..

2011-10-23T16:50:00.008+02:00

.. feel a lot like the festive season !

we have the kickoff of Sinterklaas' feast (a children's feast)

and my birthday coming up

in November

December,

the Christmas month

Last week, I found a couple of

knitted Christmas balls

in red and white

also a few other Christmassy ornaments came home with me ..

my next post is a Giveaway post, stay tuned and do have

a glorious new week !

Joy to the world

2011-10-19T12:58:00.002+02:00

The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.

Thomas Dreier

We spent a few days in Sauerland, Germany

Oh boy, what a Joy!

Have a happy day, fill it up with lots of joy

Pretty pops ..

2011-10-12T00:04:00.002+02:00

.. of Felt and Fabric and Paper and Flowers

and all these Little Things that give Flavour to the Life of Every Day

What gives Flavour to your day?

Happy hugs xoxo

~ xx ~

2011-10-08T12:08:00.003+02:00

There is no end to the adventures that we can have

if only we seek them with our eyes open

Jawaharlal Nehru

Happy hAppY weekend to each and every one !

Smile for a while

2011-10-01T06:57:00.000+02:00

Change

2011-09-22T20:44:00.009+02:00

If you don't like something change it;

if you can't change it, change the way you think about it

Mary Engelbreit

I printed and printed and printed this quote

it is in every single room of my house

Now you know what I will be up to this Fall

Did you know that Fall is the season of Change

I am off to put on my running shoes and will start visiting

each and everyone of you

looking forward to seeing you in your lovely little corners of the world !

Fall outlook

2011-09-12T22:03:00.001+02:00

Although Fall doesn't officially start for a few days,

my home is beginning to look a lot like Fall already

We have garlands of Chinese lanterns,

little cinnamon pouches made from Fall-y fabrics,

flower bouquets in Fall tones and apple picking next weekend

How do you bring the warmth of Autumn into your home

I would love to hear about your Fall traditions !

Happy hugs

xoxo

9/11

2011-09-10T20:23:00.010+02:00

Not a day passes over the earth, but men and women of no note

do great deeds, speak great words and suffer noble sorrows

~Charles Reade~

I believe that in every little corner of our big world people think of 9/11 today

Happy September !

2011-09-05T20:37:00.001+02:00

If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,

if a blade of grass springing up in the fields

has power to move you,

if the simple things in nature have a message you understand

Rejoice, for your soul is alive

Eleanora Duse

Happy September !

Colorful Corner

2011-09-03T18:03:00.004+02:00

Three colored Cornflowers

in a corner of my living room

Happy hugs for a wonderful weekend !

xoxo

Use it up

2011-08-29T20:54:00.002+02:00

Use it up, wear it out,

make it do, or do without

Enjoy using up the last days of August !

Flowers

2011-08-27T15:33:00.006+02:00

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you,

I could walk forever in my garden

Claudia Ghandi

a Glimpse of the Andre van Beek garden

Saint Paul, France

Do not forget to press or dry some of your favorite Summer flowers

Autumn is just around the corner !

Happy, happy weekend

Salon du tea

2011-08-24T21:42:00.001+02:00

When in France,

we spent quite some time in this lovely tea salon

It is in Ermenonville,

the city where Jean-Jacques Rousseau died many many years ago

I like the idea of English conversations every first Friday of the month

a Brand New Day

2011-08-22T12:08:00.001+02:00

Some snapshots from around my house

to start the week off right I suggest

a Brand New Day by the Wiz

I keep hitting the reply button !

~ Energy ~

2011-08-20T21:50:00.005+02:00

Passion is energy

Feel the power

that comes from focusing on what excites you

Imagine

a beautiful garden

a dreamy table setting

a bunch of inspiring ladies

do you feel the energy yet?

Thank you sweet Madelief for the lovely afternoon

full of beautiful china, homemade deliciousness, cheery colors,

tons of tea and good company !

Roue de Paris

2011-08-12T13:15:00.003+02:00

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west;

people create distinctions out of their own minds

and then believe them to be true ..

Buddha

I am so happy to be back in blog land

and cannot wait to catching up with all of you

in the next few days

I spend a little time in France and a lot of time with my funny children this Summer

Will tell you all about it in the upcoming weeks ;)

Have a happiest of weekends !

sum*mer

2011-07-20T11:30:00.008+02:00

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted

The winners of my giveaway are

Odie, the Simple Life

Lucia, Fazemos de Conta

please email me your address

so I can send the packages on their way home

Still enjoying Summer ..

Be sure to wear flowers in your hair !

Colors everywhere

2011-06-30T14:53:00.000+02:00

Fabrics

Colors

Fluffiness

Happiness

~ You must have discipline to have fun ~

I promise to visit you all soon

wish there were more hours in a day ..

r e d

2011-06-27T00:03:00.005+02:00

*Red is the ultimate cure for sadness*

*When in doubt wear red*

Bill Blass

Are we ready for the Summer holidays?

YES we ARE !

Wishing you a joyful Summer sweet friends

I took this picture in a Danish museum, last year

giveaway

2011-06-25T17:12:00.000+02:00

It is giveaway time !

well that's a sweet petit giveaway time

I found these funny glass markers

and bought an extra set for you

the sweet petits to give away are

6 glass markers

1 ice cube holder, strawberry or apple

a pen

As always, I am giving away 2 sets

my giveaway way:

*leave a comment on this post for one chance

**leave another comment if you follow me for two chances

***leave a third comment if you mention my giveaway

on your sidebar for three chances

The two winning names will be picked July 20th

My packages fly to any lovely little corner of the world

Now about me swirling around in blog land

or better yet, not swirling around lately..

I am afraid it will stay this quiet the next couple of weeks

as I am playing outside in the garden with my little ones

or inside on our new piano ;)

love and hugs

~ xx ~

2011-06-23T21:11:00.000+02:00

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful

William Morris

I need to put this into practice and

made it one of my goals for the Summer

Here's to a wonderful weekend, sweet friends

Happy new week!

2011-06-19T12:30:00.000+02:00

Be happy for this moment

This moment is your life

Tea in the Garden

2011-06-13T08:27:00.002+02:00

a little tea garden

a big feast

I especially loved the lace dressed up with colorful beads

covering the homemade pear syrup bottle

{and Celeste's head for an instant}

All people smile in the same language

oh Joy!

2011-06-09T21:16:00.003+02:00

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy

a Glimpse of the reorganized jars

and pink shelf in my cupboard

{Love} at first bite

2011-06-07T11:49:00.006+02:00

Pineapple strawberries

from the green grocery

These berries are fun and even a bit crazy

Personally, I prefer the original lovelies

I leave you with a fine quote for today

To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions

B. Franklin

Fuel up for Fun

2011-06-05T22:08:00.001+02:00

A funny sunny picture to make you smile

Have a wonderful new week,

make sure you fill it up with a bunch of F U N

Flower Power

2011-06-01T00:09:00.000+02:00

You have it in your Power

to make your days on Earth a path of Flowers,

instead of a path of thorns

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

*~*

Spring chocolates in cupcake holders

stored in a jar with a to-the bouquet-matching piece of fabric on top

a little gift for grandmama

Oh happy day

2011-05-29T21:44:00.002+02:00

the winners of my giveaway are

Julie Harward ~ the Harwards

Sena ~ By the Bluegrass

please email me your address

a Cheery new week to all !

Paris

2011-05-28T00:06:00.020+02:00

Paris is always a good idea

Audrey Hepburn

I thought exactly the same thing

when reading Anita's announcement for the Paris tour

Are you ready?

Pop over to my sweet friend's blog, here

and dream away .. P a r IS !

Paris ~* Forget~Me~Not*

There is still time to enter my giveaway, here

FamilY

2011-05-25T10:05:00.003+02:00

Being a family means

you are a part of something very wonderful

It means

you will love and and be loved for the rest of your life

No matter what

you might want to enter my giveaway, here

Smile!

2011-05-23T17:21:00.000+02:00

As long as you live,

keep smiling because it brightens everyone's day !

Sending a bunch of smiles

into the world for a wonderful new week

xx

2011-05-23T13:35:00.001+02:00

My Summer plates ..

A joy shared is a joy doubled !

There is still time to enter my giveaway, here

Happy weekend!

2011-05-21T17:45:00.026+02:00

If you like to catch a glimpse of me, pop over to hop on the Six Senses Tour my sweet friend Fizz is hosting, here

You might want to enter my giveaway, here

~~ giveaway ~~

2011-05-18T19:48:00.016+02:00

Cute up your Spring !

It is giveaway time !

* 1 wooden heart (pink or white)

* a cute pen

* sticky notes

* 12 cute cute paper cupcake wrappers

I bought two sets of this Spring cuteness, two for you !

my giveaway way:

*leave a comment on this post for one chance

**leave another comment if you follow me for two chances

***leave a third comment if you mention my giveaway

on your sidebar for three chances

The two winning names will be picked May 29th

My packages fly to any lovely little corner of the world

Love and Friendship

2011-05-13T20:10:00.000+02:00

One day, Love and Friendship met

Love asked, why do you exist when I already exist?

Friendship smiled and said, to put a smile where you leave tears ..

♥

a Wonderful day

2011-05-10T12:19:00.000+02:00

My, oh my, what a wonderful day!

Plenty of sunshine headin' my way

Zippety do-dah, zippity-ay!

This song is stuck inside my head

since I read Fizz' last blog post

Here's to another wonderful day!

Shoes on ..

2011-05-07T12:29:00.004+02:00

Dutch shoes on American soil ..

American shoes on Dutch soil..

I am home sweet home again

~*~

a House is made of walls and beams,

a Home is built with love and dreams

~*~

Off to catch up with all you lovelies

Have a great weekend and a wonderful Mother's day !

NYC

2011-05-04T00:25:00.001+02:00

Rebuilding Ground Zero

Yellows in NYC

Street sight

Lancaster, PA

2011-04-30T04:55:00.003+02:00

Pennsylvania Dutch Country

the Amish country

~~Happy Easter~~

2011-04-25T04:20:00.003+02:00

gearing up for a new week of joyful fun in the US

~~xx~~

2011-04-18T00:09:00.009+02:00

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams

and endeavors to live the life he as imagined

he will meet with success the unimagined in common hours

Henry Thoreau

Happy happy Easter

May you and your family have some bright and joyful days !

Off I go, USA here I come

Miss you lovely ladies already

and you too, dear Odie

Looking forward to catching up with you all May 7th

Spring has Sprung

2011-04-14T22:06:00.000+02:00

Our first wildflowers

Recently I buy jam jars because they look so pretty

and yes, sometimes I scoop them out

so I can fill the jars with little flowers right away

Sweet people

2011-04-11T20:50:00.006+02:00

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend

ours was filled with lots of outdoor fun and

ridiculously many strawberries !

I stumbled upon this beautiful quote

to love a person is to learn the song

that is in their heart

and to sing it to them

when they have forgotten

Wishing you a week filled with

sweet people to pass the time with

Simply happy

2011-04-08T00:03:00.006+02:00

look at the flowers, it is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are

look at the trees, look at the birds,

look at the clouds, look at the stars ..

and if you have eyes you will be able to see that

the whole existance is joyful

Everything is simply happy

--osho--

.. simply happy

my tulip tree {liriodendron tulipifera} is in full bloom

and my powder colored dress is ready to be worn

hApPy HapPY haPpY

hAPpY HaPPY

HaPpY

weekend !

Yummylicious

2011-04-06T00:07:00.007+02:00

Have you ever heard of adding

3 dl black coffee

to your pancake pastry?

I bought these 2 brown bags at the mill

the miller told me to add black coffee to the pastry

to achieve a lovely brown colour

I was ... let's say, surprised

how do you bake or eat your pancakes ?

I like to be surprised ;o)

Good coffee and petals

2011-04-04T16:46:00.002+02:00

May you have warm words on a cold evening,

a full moon on a dark night and

a smooth road all the way to your door

Irish Blessings quote

Here's to a wonderful new week full of good coffees and lovely colored petals !

Daffy-down-dilly

2011-04-01T15:28:00.002+02:00

Daffy-down-dilly came up ..

my white daffodils are out

The winning names of my wee giveaway are

Stina ~ Watersteeg

Fee ~ Chipper Nelly

please email me your address

so I can get the packages up in the air

A hAPpY HapPY weekend to all !

Let's not forget how cute Spring flowers are,

warming in the {early} Spring sun

Choose Happiness

2011-03-29T13:28:00.003+02:00

Success is not the key to happiness

Happiness is the key to success

If you love what you are doing,

you will be successful

Herman Cain

I have just decided to create a bit extra happiness

by grabbing another minty friend

Have a hApPY day, fill it up with sunshine !

You are still in time to enter my giveaway, here

HaPpY Weekend !

2011-03-25T17:20:00.002+01:00

Bubble blowers and swings get ready cause here we come

it is the weekend again, woo hoo

Let us not forget

Many fine things can be done in a day if you do not always make that day tomorrow

Have a sun and fun-filled weekend, sweet friends !

You might want to enter my giveaway, here

~~Giveaway~~

2011-03-22T20:52:00.004+01:00

To celebrate the arrival of Mrs. Spring,

I would love to share some Dutch Spring Joy

* a little heart + 3 checkered heart shaped magnets

* Hearts garland, 4 hearts-on-a-string

* 6 red heart shaped magnets

* 6 soft colored pencils

* flower seeds

I bought two sets, two for you

My giveaway way:

*leave a comment on this post for one chance

**leave another comment if you follow me for two chances

***leave a third comment if you mention the

Join my JOY giveaway

on your sidebar for three chances

The two winning names will be picked April 1st

My packages fly to any lovely little corner in the world

~~ xx ~~

2011-03-21T10:27:00.001+01:00

It is the things in common that make relationships enJOYable

but it is the little differences that make them interesting

Todd Ruthman

We have been playing in the woods last weekend

I will visit you all soon

Have a sunshine-filled week, sweet friends !

Please pick a {Hema}-treat, my jars are overloaded

Hema = a lovely shop

Spring Party

2011-03-16T00:02:00.011+01:00

a few shots of last weekends party at our home

I have sent a little letter + some sunflower seeds to thank everyone for coming

Let's see who can grow the biggest sunflower

Enjoy everything yellowish today !

Sunshine in a coffee filter

2011-03-14T20:17:00.000+01:00

These fruit flavored covered eggs with a heart of chocolate

found their way to the groceries again

Always sweet and ready to eat !

I use paper coffee filters all the time to house chips or whatsoever

Have a sunshine-filled weekend !

A whole new week

2011-03-11T00:02:00.000+01:00

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints in your heart. To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. Anger is only one letter short of danger. If someone betrays you once, it is his fault; if he betrays you twice, it is your fault. Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

He who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all. Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't life long enough to make them all yourself. Friends, you and me ... you brought another friend ... and then there were three ... we started our group ... our circle of friends ... and like that circle ... there is no beginning or end ... yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why they call it a present.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy hugs for a wonderful new week !

The nougat with dried strawberries is my Monday morning treat

Simplicity

2011-03-10T00:02:00.004+01:00

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Leonardo da Vinci

I stumbled upon this amazing Italian pasta !

Eats and Treats

2011-03-08T16:31:00.003+01:00

Pancakes to spice up the School dress up party

Did I tell you that hardly anyone was dressed up?

So glad I was wearing my blue trousers and a white blouse

dressed up with two blue flower corsages,

lots of blue bracelets (these faux plastic ones),

a pair of silly earrings and a pony tail

Miss Vinciane's favorite candy

wrapped up in paper napkins and tied up with a candy rope

Her birthday treat at school, the teachers received the customary chalk candy

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned

Peter Marshall

HaPpy Weekend !

2011-03-07T00:01:00.000+01:00

The doors we open and close each day

decide the lives we live

Flora Whittemore

My door is wide open for the weekend !

Have a happy one, sweet friends !!

* our happy feet in the chocolate museum, Bruges
* streets in Bruges

Blue blue, I love you

2011-03-06T00:07:00.000+01:00

My French market basket

and I are Spring ready !

pimped my new friend with a few jeans posies

A lovely quote to start our new week to:

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible' !

Audrey Hepburn

Mellow Yellow

2011-03-05T15:08:00.004+01:00

Spring Party

next Sunday

our home

you are invited !

a Mellow Yellow party

I will take care of bigger bows on the fence

What comes into your mind first when I say

yellow eats and treats?

Spring green

2011-03-02T00:02:00.003+01:00

The bedroom in the House of Seasons, Bruges Belgium

a Candy store in Bruges, Belgium

I love Spring as well as all the tones of Spring green !

oh, I also love to be home sweet home again

Love at first sight

2011-02-27T17:33:00.001+01:00

J. Seignolles ~ Madison

pretty porcelain

heavenly colors

We are in Bruges, Belgium

celebrating the birthdays of our girls

I will have a coffee or two for you, tee hee !

What 2 Watch

2011-02-25T00:08:00.000+01:00

Watch your thoughts, for they become words

Watch your words, for they become actions

Watch your actions, for they become habits

Watch your habits, for they become character

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny

I have planned to sit down on this bench and visit you all over the weekend

well I think it will be my bench inside the house =^.~=

Happy hugs for a great weekend !

xo xo xo

Moving

2011-02-23T00:03:00.004+01:00

Trust only movement

Life happens at the level of events, not of words

Trust movement

Alfred Adler

In my house there is a lot of dressing up going on this week

So far we have

a princess

a farmer

an air hostess

a baker

Friday = Carnival day at school

I took this picture 6 years ago

my three year old Vinciane holding her cousins clowny hand

I am still determined to not enter school all dressed up,

what would you do?

Put on a silly hat or wear a funny apron?

tell me, oh tell me so

xo xo xo

Join my Joy

~*~Some SnapShots~*~

~ xx ~

Today's Treat

Oh Happy Day !

HappY New Year !

The countdown has started ..

a Merry 4th week of Advent !

On top of my piano

Red reddish

~*~ Happy Weekend ~*~

This is your world

Reach for the stars

*Giveaway*

It's beginning to ..

Joy to the world

Pretty pops ..

~ xx ~

Smile for a while

Change

Fall outlook

9/11

Happy September !

Colorful Corner

Use it up

Flowers

Salon du tea

a Brand New Day

~ Energy ~

Roue de Paris

s*u*m*m*e*r

Colors everywhere

*r e d *

*giveaway*

~ xx ~

Happy new week!

Tea in the Garden

oh Joy!

{Love} at first bite

Fuel up for Fun

Flower Power

Oh happy day

** Paris **

FamilY

Smile!

xx

Happy weekend!

~*~ giveaway ~*~

Love and Friendship

a Wonderful day

Shoes on ..

NYC

Lancaster, PA

~*~Happy Easter~*~

~*~xx~*~

Spring has Sprung

Sweet people

Simply happy

Yummylicious

Good coffee and petals

Daffy-down-dilly

Choose Happiness

HaPpY Weekend !

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~ xx ~*~

Spring Party

Sunshine in a coffee filter

A whole new week

Simplicity

Eats and Treats

HaPpy Weekend !

Blue blue, I love you

Mellow Yellow

Spring green

Love at first sight

What 2 Watch

*Moving*

~~Some SnapShots~~

~~ Happy Weekend ~~

Giveaway

sum*mer

r e d

giveaway

Paris

~~ giveaway ~~

~~Happy Easter~~

~~xx~~

~~Giveaway~~

~~ xx ~~

Moving