team.outing

the weather is not perfect. but nothing can stop you from going to the beach even you have to drive for an hour to reach there. there is an team event that you don't want to miss out. you lost your way as you are approaching the dunes but after awhile you finally reached your destination.

a little cottage at the other side of the beach

it's windy and drizzling...

you looked at this and you feel the challenge but you know you are not here for this

but these... the blowkart is awaiting for you...

you stand there and waiting happily because you know you are the next in line to try the blowkart

you enjoy the ride, the wind is your best friend because it gives you green energy but the sand is your enemy because you get stuck due to wet sand... nonetheless you enjoyed the ride even though you are completely wet...

then you have some serious meeting and then while waiting for the bbq to be set up, you watched the first match of world cup on the big screen with your colleagues

then the huge fire place waiting for you to put some meats for grill and BBQ

your colleagues are standing around waiting to attack the sizzling food

it's an enjoyable afternoon and you are glad you made it even though there is some consequences lying ahead next monday but this is just exactly what you needed after a rather bumpy week at your work.

happy friday, a much needed weekend for me and for you too!

a.bicycle.ride.to.high.tea

i started today by marathon ironing, i ironed all the backlog of clothing's since may... so you can imagine a hug pile of clothes at the attic... but i got it all done including sorting out the final bit of my summer wardrobe...

then we set off for a cycling trip around our neighbourhood in search for some wall photos. we didn't have a lot of success except the one above that close to my satisfaction.

some wild summer flowers that i saw for two weeks already every day when i drive passed in the evening after work but never got time to take the photo till this afternoon

water lilies - reminds me of monet's japanese garden

spring/summer view along the pathway

on our way to the lake, we saw more daisy wild flowers and so we stopped again for some photo opportunity

along the cycling route, some cows also take the moment to sun bathing like many others... we were briefly at the lake before we turned back for our high tea at a terrace just at a converted barn nearby to our house

the cow is the signage of this restaurant

like many others, we have our high tea at the terrace

the high tea start with a glass of rose procesco

and then the tea sandwich, the petite fours, the muffins, cream puff, bonbons and many other sweeties...

and also a plate of savory with quiche, kroket all nicely done and not oily

and of course the scones with clotted cream, strawberry jam and marmalade

not forget the tea, the main spotlight of the tea and my favorite revolution tea, there is no lack of selection and refill is free!! i will be back next time with my girlfriends...

then i did a quick round of the interior

high ceiling with chandeliers

the interior of the converted barn, quite a taste decorated

while he waited for me under the sun, then we cycled further after the rather heavy high tea and on our last leg, we came across another old barn...

like this with broken windows...

and now i need to get ready for the women's revival meeting at our church tonight!!

sunny.days

it going to be warm this weekend, yay!!! and the first weekend that we are staying put after a few weekends away.

so what happened during a hot sunny day, especially the long weekend that we were in france?

at vernon, early in the morning it was already sunny. you dressed summery in cotton and in white shade, you put on your sandals, you put on your sun glasses of course!!!

you stood at the seine river bank and let the cool breeze cool you down and imagine you are going on a boat ride

at mid noon you arrived at armiens you walked along the water bank again so that you get some cooling effect



you tried to stand in shade and even taking photo in shade, so that you are not over expose to the sun uv ray

you saw the famous cathedral at armiens and couldn't resist put pose for a photo under the full afternoon sun, and then you

sneak in to the cathedral and enjoy the natural cooling that comes from the marble floor and high ceiling while you enjoy the architecture of the cathedral

you walk further and you take off your shoes, roll your pant and soak your feet into the cold water

while he goes around checking out the city...

that's the way to cool down in a sunny day..

hey.june.hello.monet

june is here!!! i can't believe it because that means half of 2010 is gone... but it also means a warmer weather for us here... during the pentecost long weekend, we were at giverny, the hometown of claude monet. we were blessed with perfect spring weather that weekend...

flowers are blooming and my mind is completely blown by the variety of flowers in his garden

in his garden, there is no lack of flowers and plants...

life becomes a little bit more colorful and inspiring

monet was not home when i was there and he never will be home ever....

and his mansion is big and tastefully decorated

at his japanese garden at the other side of the road...

the pond where he grew water lilies is most tranquil and serene

and admiring the water lilies from the japanese bridge would be such a pleasure thing to do at the right season as i would imagine and envision in his paintings....

that i saw in chicago art institute.... despite of the fact that monet and me never met and but i actually stood at the bridge that he painted many time and enjoyed his pond and garden...

in his garden i gain the inspiration and courage to start water color painting again...what an inspired meeting, even though i didn't meet him in person, but his creative spirit and his passion for arts is evident in his garden and home... and he has rubbed on the artistic spirit to me, visiting his home help me to understand his great work and master piece even better. it's a great personal encounter with him...

family.weekend

just came back from another weekend away from home. this time not too far, just slightly less than an hour drive away from home

i spot this creature just outside our bungalow this morning

the street sign of the park, business center is where most of the services are held...

spent some quiet moments at the market cafe

and indulged in these nice cake, far beyond the french standard but definitely way above the dutch ordinary version....

sunday celebration service in action, the presence of God is strong in these services....

This is my view and perspective from the translator table in the middle of the room

all in all a blessed weekend but i am really tired from a few weekends away and a full week of work, need to rest soon

have a good week ahead...