Time to Chat Day by Day

[Lizzie48]

Hallo everyone, Daisy, I don't usually make the meal for myself, well, an easier version I do, I used to make it a lot for DH, it was the only way he would eat any vegetables. I do like to make it for visitors, there is a good bit of preparation, but, the cooking part is simple. You would all enjoy the meal for your friends birthday.

Plant, you must have an extended family!

Gem, enjoy the lunch out.

Oma, do you take magnesium before going to bed? Or rub magnesium oil on your feet, my swimming friends gets feet cramps, can hardly walk sometimes.

WG, enjoy your holiday.

It is very warm here, I did see showers forecast next week.

[Lizzie48]

Interesting!

17 Facts You May Not Know About The Netherlands:

1. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with over 17 million people living in an area of about 41,500 square kilometers.

2. Approximately one-third of the country lies below sea level, and much of the land has been reclaimed from the sea through a system of dikes and polders.

3. The Dutch are among the tallest people in the world, with an average height of around 6 feet for men and 5 feet 7 inches for women.

4. The Netherlands has the highest concentration of museums in the world, with over 1,100 museums spread across the country.

5. Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh produced over 2,100 artworks during his lifetime, including iconic pieces like "Starry Night" and "Sunflowers."

6. The Netherlands is the largest exporter of flowers in the world, with the flower industry centered around the famous flower auction in Aalsmeer.

7. Dutch cuisine features dishes like stroopwafels (syrup waffles), bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs), and haring (raw herring), which are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

8. The Dutch are avid cyclists, with over 35,000 kilometers of dedicated bike paths crisscrossing the country.

9. The Dutch national color is orange, stemming from the royal House of Orange-Nassau, which has ruled the Netherlands since the 16th century.

10. The Netherlands is home to the world's oldest stock exchange, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, which was established in 1602.

11. Dutch artist M.C. Escher, known for his mathematically inspired optical illusions, was born and raised in the Netherlands.

12. The Dutch language has contributed many words to the English language, including "landscape," "cookie," and "yacht."

13. The Netherlands is known for its progressive stance on social issues, being one of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001.

14. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe and serves as a major hub for international air travel.

15. Dutch windmills, such as those at Kinderdijk, are iconic symbols of the country and have been used for centuries to pump water and grind grain.

16. The Netherlands is famous for its cheese, particularly Gouda and Edam, which are exported around the world.

17. Dutch tulips became so valuable during the 17th century that they caused an economic bubble known as "Tulip Mania," with bulbs selling for exorbitant prices.

[Oma]

Lizzie
Funnily enough my Dr told me to get magnesium oil and rub it in but I didn’t bother , I think I may go get some give it a go.

DD & SIL popped in for a cupper they had been to our shopping mall , the stayed about a hour .

ive just put the winter coats away and did the ironing ,
I was puzzled I couldn’t find a pair of white PJ bottoms , I thought they may have been left in the washing basket , they were not there,
So I looked in the washer not there ,
B asked what I was looking for. So I told him his reply was ,
“Oh when I took the ironing upstairs I put them away “

Then we had an argument about if they did or did not need ironing .
I said of course they do , his argument was well they going to get creased in bed so what’s the point 😳
I give up 🤦♀️😁

[Gemini]

blueskies.jpg I think I have the best of the weather today

Cloudless blue sky and wall to wall sunshine!

[Gemini]

Lizzie, I have copied your post to a new thread. Its too interesting to be missed in Chat

Oma, I was awake when OH left so got to say goodbye. I got a bit more sleep before GS came in.

That was a good long evening Daisy, you must have all been enjoying it.

Plant it would be lovely if all your family could go on the holiday. If my family grows much more we may need 2 houses eventually

I have been sitting in the garden since I got back as it is lovely and the forecast isn't so good for the rest of the week. I get bored by myself in the garden though so I am have come inside to catch up here and listen the The Archers omnibus on iplayer. Sooty was there but he's not a great conversationalist

Baked potato with tuna and salad for my tea tonight.

[Nanto2girls]

Gem, hope S has a good golfing time in Portugal
DS2 and DIL came back from Portugal on friday.

Oma, we have disagreements about ironing. Hubby always says not to bother ironing his stuff. I ignore him.
I always iron the kitchen towels and t-towels,all the family thhink i'm nuts.

Its been like Grand Central today. DS1 and GD2 came for dinner.
Nephew called on his way home as we were all sat in the garden.
Hubby was talking to our new neighbours who moved in about 3 weeke ago, so we invited them over for a cuppa and a natter.
About 10 minutes BRO in law from the bungalow arrived.

Off to read Lizzie's interesting facts about The Netherlands. Its very rare i call it The Netherlands, i usually say Holland.

[Daisy]

Lizzie, I think preparation of often the most time consuming thing when you're making a meal. The cooking either doesn't take long or looks after itself. It sounds a very healthy meal.

Nanto, if you like things to be ironed that's the way it is. Gosh, you've certainly had a busy day with visitors - but always lovely to have company.

Gem, we had glorious sunshine after a slow start today. It was nice and warm too, but has recently rained.

Plant, no, I don't think OH got anything interesting enough to show me from B&Q!! Is the other house in Normandy near to "yours"?

Oma, it's saved you a job not ironing those PJs. You're brave putting the winter coats away. If I did that we'd have snow the next day for sure! . Would bed socks help with the cramps in your feet?

It's been a beautiful day today, and I got quite a bit done in the garden, but not much to show for it! I've emptied pots of spring bulbs and laid them out to dry - and I've just realised it's rained on them. I'll have to put them under cover tomorrow.

I did pan-fried haddock in butter and garlic tonight and it reminded me of when we had the caravan in Anglesey. The farmer's son often used to fish off the beach - mainly pollack - and I'd cook that in butter and garlic. It was always tasty.

[Nanto2girls]

Good morning. Looking a bit overcast.
Hope it brightens up,i would like to get the kitchen towels and t towels washed and out to dry.

Daisy, it's good you were able to get quite a bit done in the garden.
No set plans for us, will take the day as it comes.

Dinner will be potato croquettes, fish fingers and beans.

[Lizzie48]

Good morning, the meal went very well, everyone enjoyed the meal and being together. Only, my poor leg when I got to bed, too much standing. I do know and still did it. I will get some walking etc done today to get it all moving again.

I don't know about the healthy part of the meal Daisy, it would be without the peanut butter sauce! It is very tasty though and enjoyed by all. I had made something else for GD2, she doesn't like spicy food.

We have showers forecast for the rest of the week, in some parts of "the Netherlands" thunder storms are forecast later on today, I will get to Rotterdam early and hope it stays dry.

[Plantaholic]

General tidying up in the garden, gorgeous weather, just done some watering. Eldest GS and his family here and of course baby Theo. GD 2’s partner played so called cricket with GGS, he loves having them here.

Busy day for you Nanto, hope you have had the sunshine too

Lizzie, interesting facts about the Netherlands.

I am a non ironer now, only essential things, gives me backache and I have a battle with the ironing board. They say to iron tea towels as it makes them sterile, I hardly use a tea towel with a dishwasher.

[Oma]

Morning everyone

Daisy
I can’t stand even the covers on my feet at night even in winter so bed socks are not a option , Im so awkward 😁
B said the same about the coats but we will see ,
Talking about bulbs , I think my Lillie’s will need dividing after this year they are in big pots but look a bit crowded ,
Are you putting your spring bulbs pots?

Nanto
Hope it stays nice to get your towels dry ,
You know your quiet day will end up with visitors don’t you 😁

Lizzie
How is the knee today did you sleep ok?
Hope you get there and back before the storms hit.
The meal sounds like it was a success x

Gem
Have you heard from S how’s the weather there.
Did sooty stay and keep you company last night 😁

Its very overcast this morning but rumours have it this afternoon will be sunny ,
I hope so as I want to spray the few weeds popping up on the drive.

Need to go to post office in a while for stamps then to Iceland for a few bits .

Plant
My MIL irons her duvet covers still but has to do it in stages as her back hurts ,
As she said there’s no hurry so she can take her time,
Ive tried to get her to buy the none iron type but she won’t .

It must be lovely having the family around but noisy at times I bet 😁

[Plantaholic]

I wrote the above yesterday but didn’t post it.

[Gemini]

Good morning everyone.

Oma, OH is Sooty's favourite as she feeds him! I saw him several times in garden and house when the back door was open, but no he didn't stay the night . It has been known

Less standing then Lizzie! At the moment standing and walking slowly really hurt my back. I'm better walking faster!

Your meal last night sounds lovely Daisy. I love fish of all types.

Nan2 really dull here, the sun has gone! No rain forecast today according to BBC Weather. I already have towels on the line as there is rain forecast the rest of the week

Aquafit this morning and hopefully coffee there. This evening I am out for dinner with my ex work friends.
First golf day for OH and friends in Portugal.

Have a good week everyone.

[Daisy]

Good Monday morning, everyone.

We've got glorious sunshine after heavy rain last night. Fingers crossed the sun wins today!

Nanto, I've got a couple of loads of washing to do as well - and I haven't started yet.

Lizzie, the peanut sauce may not be 'healthy' but it is homemade and therefore qualifies as good in my book! Glad everyone enjoyed the meal, and I do hope your leg is ok today.

Plant, another busy day with your family. You don't have chance to get bored, do you. I agree ironing tea towels (and drying them in the sun) helps to keep them germ-free. I also kid myself that they dry more effectively is they're ironed!

Oma, I did wonder about bed socks not being an option, but thought I'd mention it in case you could find some that would help stop the cramps. Could your diabetes nurse give you some exercises to help? I know peace lilies like to be pot bound, but I think those tall glamorous ones (Asiatic lilies?) need potting or at least top dressing every year. I don't now why, but I'm quite surprised that your MIL irons hers duvet covers.

I'm trying to cut down on the number of pots I've got around the garden, as several were more weeds than flowers. I've starting putting pansies from the tomato troughs into pots and will put them around the garden like that. We've got a few gaps here and there.

[Lizzie48]

Oh dear, the forecast was wrong! I walked out of the central station in Rotterdam, and, a cloud burst above the city!! I walked to the market and didn't know if I was walking through the streets or the river Maas. I did have a waterproof parka on, but, my jeans were soaked, I got what I wanted from the market and was home here at 10am. I won't bother to go there again, hardly any stalls at all, the one I went to in Zoetermeer a while ago was really good with "ordinary" materials etc.

There is a R0pa run arriving in Rotterdam today, they run for hospitals etc, from Paris to Rotterdam, I hope they missed the rain!

Roparun
The Roparun is a non-stop relay run between Rotterdam and Paris. The race has been organised annually from 1992, over a distance of 530 kilometres. From its origin the run has been a charity event, aimed to raise funds for cancer patients. In its 25-year history over 73 million euros have been raised. Wikipedia