Thanks to R.

X-Mas Diner 2007 - The Hague

Maastricht - X-Mas shopping

Maastricht, December 23th 2007,

Like every year there's a X-mas shopping night and of course the whole weekend every shop's open. Went with Joyce to Maastricht to find some last minute presents and see the 'madness' around X-mas. It was busy in Maastricht but had a lovely day in Maastricht.

Went for a small lunch to De Comedie, almost in the heart of Maastricht (Onze Lieve Vrouwenplein 30B) a trendy place (not from the outside) but visit their website ... very well done, uninterrupted lounge music while looking at the site.


Quick and good service, also for a drink, while almost all other restaurants only serve meals and therefore only a drink is out of the question. Not really something you expect from Maastricht. We went for the Foccacia and the all time favorite of mine shrimp croquettes ... something typical Belgium, and since we're almost in Belgium it's worth a try ... :-)

The menu card looked good and they give a lot of parties, also after diner time ...

C'est la Vie, Amorsplein 2 is also a nice address to go to for a drink, the also serve food but they also allow you to only have a drink and not throwing you out only because of that drink ...

Lavendelhof - 22/12-2007

Working on the first ceiling / floor of the 2nd floor
And now it will be quiet for two weeks because they are on holiday ...

Amsterdamse Bos - 'De Bosbaan'.

Amsterdamse Bos - 'De Bosbaan'
December 21st - 2007

Gusto - Rotterdam 010

Restaurant Gusto Rotterdam
Schiedamse Vest 40
3011 BA Rotterdam
Tel : +31 10 2800812
website : http://www.gusto-rotterdam.nl

Today making a huge leap to 010 from 020. Always difficult making that step ... and yes Nicole it wasn't that bad ... :-) (Yes Rian, Bjorn, Piet & Gert I made it across ...) So after a very long time (last time at Jenny's?) we went out for diner to Gusto this time. Small italian restaurant, with an open kitchen and real friendly people that actually greet you when entering the restaurant. That was something else compared to the place we were before this night ... And since I need to put some fine restaurants still on this blog, I will enjoy some dining these last two weeks from 2007 to catch up ...

A lot of people probably had the idea to go out for diner without making reservations. A lot of full places tonight. Fortunately we only had to wait for a few minutes before we could go to our table.

We started of with different kinds of bruschetta and some antipasti misti. Very nice and taste full, we couldn't determine all the bruschetta but they were very good. For main course we had the aglio olio (a pizza with a hint of garlic) ... the reason why you should only buy pizza with real italians and forget about the s... in the supermarket. Very good indeed. And one of my favourite's the Vitello Tonata. The 'tonata' was very well done!

So after making the journey to 010 it was worth it ... thanks Nicole for a lovely evening,


P.

P.s.
I won't tell about your new 'only N' hobby ... :-)
Next time we make it a 'cake day'

Lavendelhof - 14/12-2007

Placing of the back walls towards the garage
Starting with the ceilings and the foundation of the gardens
A step further again ... :-)

Dedicated to ....

Ayo - Joyful

Ayo with her album Joyful.
Distributed on June 12, 2006 by Polydor.

Brought to my attention last week and I must admit this is some very good music. Little bit different, some other touch ...

1. Down On My Knees
2. Without You
3. Letter By Letter
4. How Many Times?
5. And It'S Supposed To Be Love
6. Watching You
7. Only You
8. Help Is Coming
9. These Days
10. Life Is Real
11. What Is Love?
12. Neva Been

website : http://ayomusic.artistes.universalmusic.fr/index.php
website Ayo - down on my knees LIVE : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbK80TS3aQ4

Lavendelhof - 08/12-2007

Saturday, December 8th


Not much changed last week. The back entrance to the garage has arrived though ...

'Zwarte Piet'

Do I need to say more .... ?

Joris (right) and myself (left ..) together with the 'spoiled' :-) Linde ...
The Hague, December 2nd 2007 (a rainy Sunday afternoon).

Sinterklaas the story ...

The intrigues of Sinterklaas

When Nicolas was born in Turkey from a well to do family and was appointed bishop of Myra (today Demre) in the forth century nobody could have imagined that he would become one of the most prolific and intrigueing patron Saints of the Catholic Church.

Like Buddha and Saint Francis, he was appalled by riches (good for him!) and gave financial support to young women without a dowry and children at every occasion. At the beginning of the second Millenium almost all European cities had their own patron Saint, and Bari in southern Italy was already a beautiful and thriving city; it was, in fact, a bridgehead for commerce with the Orient, though still didn't have a proper patron. It was then that the authorities from Bari asked Pope Urbanus II for permission to adopt this Nicolas the "Moor" about whom had heard a lot on their travel to the Orient.

Therefore a group marines from Bari sailed off a couple of caravelles to Myra, and, taking advantages of the war with the muslim Saracens, emptied the crypt that guarded the bishop's relics without difficulty, to return to the coast of Bari. Venice lacked a patron Saint as well, and wanted the same Nicolas for themselves, but the Baresi protested vehemently and obtained permission from the pope to build a basilica dedicated to Saint Nicolas.

During the same period the 'crusades' were ne vogue that were intended to liberate Jerusalem from the Muslims, and Bari was a point of reference and refreshment for European soldiers before embarking for their adventure in the lands of the Orient. They say the "Templars" often gathered in the Saint's crypt and that the basilica's portals may hide something important.

When the spanish conquered the whole of southern Italy, Bari fell victim as well, but the Spanish, being rather religious, did not rage against the city, but on the contrary, hearing about the deeds of the Saint, adopted him as their own patron for marines and children.

The Netherlands were dominated by the Spanish as well and during this period they brought their traditions to the country: here's the legend of the Saint accompanied by "Moors" bringing presents to children. This tradition was preserved by the ages.

Today not only Bari is protected by Saint Nicolas, but Greece as well, and Russia, Belgium, France, Amsterdam, Barrn, etc, etc ... Amsterdam has its church dedicated to Saint Nicolas. The colors of Bari's football team are : white and red. Both cities face the sea and are seafaring. And then there's a recent history: during the migrations to America in the twenties and thirties, the Dutch brought Sinterklaas with them, where it was adopted under the name of "Santa Klaus".

How many travels, how many stories for this holy Moor, this kind of traveler; from far away Myra, through Bari and Spain, and finally through the Netherlands he has become a symbol of kindheartedness for children ...

And today he hired me to be one of his 'pieten'... wish me luck :-)

Have a great evening all

Lavendelhof - 01/12-2007

Photo : December 12, 2007

Lavendelhof - 29/11-2007

Photos : November 29, 2007

Lavendelhof - 27/11-2007

Photo : November 27, 2007

Lavendelhof - 26/11-2007

Photo : November, 26 - 2007

Cuc!naMosae

Maastricht, November 17, 2007

CucinaMosae is situated in and around the old domes of the Mosae Forum. It has become a gathering of different food concepts in which the kitchen (La Cucina) is literally and figurative the center point. Here there will be cooked all day before the eyes of the public, here is were people eat and there are cooking clinics. The kitchen with lunch restaurant, cooking studio, winebar, coffeebar, pastry and bakkery together are Cucina Mosae 100% Gusto. Of course surrounded with retail stores where products are sold connected to food.

At least that's what they say themselves ... time for some inspection, last time I was in Maastricht (preuvenemint) it was still closed, so need to go there again. Situated in this lovely town where people like to dress and impress, so much people enjoy a good coffee / glass of wine with friends, and of course love food. Next to the river on one hand and the heart of the city on the other hand. 3500m2 they say, the largest market with a roof in the Benelux ...

After a long journey starting with a drink and something light to eat ... need to discover all of this :-) It might be 3500m2 but not only devoted to food I guess, it's pretty big but not that big! It lacks a bit of the real market style, it's a bit to 'clean'. The setting with these old arches is so beautiful although I would have done some different lighting. The presentation of the food still need some work. The products you can buy are lovely for the biggest part. The 'nut' department is rather small and I suggest they will have a look at the Market in Amsterdam on Saturday and go to Gotjé (De Nootzaak) talk to Jos and he'll arrange a nice assortment. The cheese section is rather poor. The vegetables are perfect, the meat section was oke, but not far as good as the English Market in Cork (Ireland), winebar was superb, rather small selection of wines, the coffee bar was from DE, not quite a brand I would suggest, although the espresso was good, and the Cappuccino's made like it should. The traiteur was fine, nice products (bought a lot) and the taste was perfect for 9.5 out of the 10. Good presentation, nice people and enough choices.

The restaurant had a small menu, nice items but such a bad service and sooooo slow. About 20 tables, more than 5 cooks and needed to wait for a simple foccacia. Taste was good, salad had a nice dressing (good attention to small things is what makes the difference). Slow service rather, wrong invoice at the end .... so some improvements to be made.

It's a good step forward for Holland though. Not an attraction where I need to go back too but when around I certainly will get some stuff from the traiteur.

If parked under there - below level 2-3 - than don't leave around 17.00, go much earlier or take another drink, 45 minutes getting out of the parking is about average ...

From the traiteur we bought small single portions :
Amuse with coquille and a potato salad
Salad with lobster and shrimps
Salad Nicoise with grilled tuna
Salad blue cheese and chicory
Mushroom risotto (little bit undercooked unfortunately)
Nice dish of Poultry (pigeon and duck) - perfect !
Real meat dish from the south of Holland
Dish with veal and mustard sauce
Asian dish with shrimps
Some lovely chocolate pie
Nice dessert with 'two tone' flavored cream
Of course some nice stone oven bread
Tea from Betjeman & Barton - simply the best !

It was worthwhile taking home these products, real treat !

CucinaMosae - Grubbelstraat 14 - Maastricht - Tel : +31 43 3900910

Lavendelhof - 18/11-2007

Photo : November 18, 2007

Lavendelhof - 30/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 30, 2007

Lavendelhof - 27/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 27, 2007

Lavendelhof - 23/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 23, 2007

Lavendelhof - 22/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 22, 2007

Lavendelhof - 16/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 16, 2007

Lavendelhof - 12/10-2007

Photo : Oktober 12, 2007

Lavendelhof - 08/10-2007

Photo : Oktober, 8 - 2007

Lavendelhof - 05/10-2007

Photo : Oktober, 5 - 2007

Lavendelhof - bouwnummer 109

Lavendelhof - Bouwnummer 109
expected to be ready in Q1 - 2009

There was an option to put the kitchen on the ground floor and by doing that creating a large living, not divided into two smaller rooms but one large space. And since I can get a bigger kitchen this way (even not all my wishes could be applied) the better option for me. Of course this is more work (deviating from the original plan) so it will cost some extra but I'm sure it's worth it.

the kitchen drawn in the picture will be totally different. I'll have a cooking island what will be at the same time a place for eating (with 3 people or less). The kitchen is situated on the front of the house, next to the pavement and the street. Where there is actually space to park a car ... :-)

At the back in a separate 'room' there's a toilet and the washing machine and some storage place. Also the entrance towards the garage where you can park your car. It's a dedicated area only for the people living in the complex.

The kitchen will be approximately 20m2.

Nice big windows at the front from the floor up until the ceiling. So there will be enough light from that side.

Also the 'meterkast' will be situated on the ground floor. So electricity, gas and water will enter the building here.

And of course the stairs to the first floor ...


The first floor will be the living room with access to the garden. So if there might be people who really do have green fingers ... :-) you're welcome. It will be a big and open space only with the staircase.

The 1st floor will be about 45m2.

On the front side of the building there will be 5 windows, as well as the ground floor, from the floor until the ceiling. Almost covering the entire width of the house. The back of the house (with access to the garden) has a very large window and the other one will move behind the 1st one giving a wide opening into the garden.

The garden is between 6-7 meters deep and a little over 5 meters wide. Also a small place for some 'garden equipment'. From the garage you can go up to the first floor and enter your home from the garden.

So quite a space to decorate ... but I do have some time to think about that.

All the floors are equipped with fire alarms.

I also put in some extra tubes that can be wired afterwards in case of. I know the whole world is equipped with wireless but for a lot of things I like to depend on the wire. No interference no hazzle, always works.




The second floor is for the bedrooms and the bathroom - and extra toilet. They made in the original design an extra bedroom. Divided the second bedroom into 2 small rooms. I decided to tear the wall down and also enjoy here from a big guest room.

Also the place for the Central heating is located here, opposite of the toilet.

Also the (rather :-) ) small bathroom is on this floor. It will be (as well as the both toilets) completely tiled and a bathtub will be placed. So only a little work needs to be done when I can enter the house.

The Master bedroom is situated at the front of the house.

As well some nice windows for both bedrooms. At least covering 60-70% of the wall, again gaining some light from outside.

In all the rooms (like the 1st floor) there are extra tubes for wiring. So maybe for extra electricity, cable or satellite or any other device in need of some wiring.

Enough space for two nice double beds - even king size :-)



The last - top floor, is a smaller part than the floors that are below. Still a nice 30m2. This will be the 'office'. Computer, all administration drama's one need in this bureaucratic age.

Of course the computer and all my digital stored music files, photo's etc will be on this floor. So the blogs (if I'm into that as of than) will be made from here probably. Of course there's an exception for the laptop that will be wireless connected to my network.

The house has a fake gable at the front. Since this top floor is extra, not everybody will have an extra floor. And to maintain a nice view for the outside world they decided to make a gable. So it will not be very obvious who has an extra floor and so maintain a better picture.

Another feature will be the terrace. Same big windows that can be opened like the first floor. So enjoying some music on a late summer night enjoying the last rays of the sun ... :-)

So I probably need a small fridge so I don't have to walk all the stairs to get a nice cold drink. Where people can worry about these days ...

I enjoy it already but still need to wait till Q1 - 2009. Depending on the state of the works by July 2008 they might be able to do it in Q4 2008. But we'll wait and find out. Gives some more room to save some extra money to spend on decorating the place ...

Till we meet again ... :-) -x- P.


The picture below shows one of the designs they made for this project. I do have another type of building but they don't have a nice example of that. They only made one type of house. And although the windows are different and the top floor is different, also inside it's even different it shows a nice picture of what to expect.

The first floor is situated on the garden level and as you can see the car is parked under the garden. It saves a lot of space, they don't have to make a garage. And it's something different. And all that for Amsterdam. I know it's not in the heart of the city but I'll manage ... :-)

Lavendelhof - 13/09-2007

Amsterdam, September 2007

Looking for a bigger place, would like to have an extra room and ended up with this project. So I'll have my extra room and a lot more space ... hope I can fill all this space ... :-) I'll post photo's every time something changes significantly compared to the last photo.


The project is planned to be ready by Q1 - 2009. That's a pretty long time, but already decided on the bathroom and kitchen .. incredible what you have to decide all in advance. But at least I do have plenty of time to decide on floors, roofs, lighting and domotica ...

I'll keep you informed.



Picture is taken on September 13, 2007.

Funding has been placed and basically that's it.

Question of the day ...

The question that keeps me thinking lately ...

Is my base
where my boss is ... ???

I guess not since I quit my job, last day this coming Friday ... what next is the big question though. Well I definitely got some time to think about that after Friday ... ;-)

Oisterwijk swingt

Oisterwijk Swingt
31th august 2007
De Lind
Oisterwijk

Wouter Hamel

Friday August 31 the kick off of 'Oisterwijk swingt'. So the team (Sanday's) went for diner and some live music all the way to Oisterwijk. Today the Ruben Hoeke Band, Supercharge, Tamara Maria and Wouter Hamel will perform.

Of course enough good food and drinks available.

Tamara Maria

We did some remodeling of the 'restaurant' but for the rest we behaved :-)

Restaurant Flo - Amsterdam

Pastilla aux cuisse de lapin confit,
amandes et ras el hanout, salade couscous

Magret de Canard aux peches
Manges touts, sauce basilic

Creme brulee a la vanille bourbon

2005 - Saint Emilion Grand Cru
Domaine de Peyrelongue
13%


René & Elzo

Preuvenemint Maastricht 2007

Preuvenemin

Maastricht

25th of August 2007

The ambiance, the city, the diversity, the people and not to forget the food ....  What a treat, should go every year to enjoy all of that. I remember this one very well. Walking to all these nice places to look where to start ran into friends from Amsterdam, just to end up with almost 10 people all from Amsterdam. Quite an evening it became. (Yoda said :-))

Still remember the Kingcrab and scampi's from Chateau Neercanne (Hans Snijders).

If the chance .. go, yes it's busy and you might to have to wait a while but it's more than worth it.