The view from our front window this morning as I headed to work.

We're so spoiled...

I took this photo from our front window.

It wasn't intended as black & white, but it just turned out that way.

We have had minimal amounts of snow & sleet for the past couple of days. No accumulation.

It would seem that with biking, the Dutch have gone "Postal" ...rain, sleet, snow....

Gaaahhd, this is so funny!
We actually found these on the shelf of a local drugstore.
Hilarious!

Check this out!

Everytime it rains for an extended period of time (always), this guy goes out with a bucket to prevent his canoe from sinking!

How about turning it over during the winter??? Ha!

Perhaps in need of a few capsules???

This past Saturday morning was beautiful. Lots of sun & the markets were out.

We decided to show off our neighborhood, Nieuwmarkt, with a few photos for our blog.

Nieuwmarkt on Zaterdag.

(Nieuwmarkt on Saturday.)

Brood (bread).

Aah, such fun in the market. We love the bread in baskets!

They will even allow a small taste of the sourdough. Yumm!

Kaas (cheese) in Nieuwmarkt. You name it, they have it!

More Kaas. They'll even cut-the-cheese for you upon request.

Hee, hee!

Fresh produce.

Our French friend & neighbor, Aurelie, suggested the croissants at the Kloppenburg bakery.
They are definitely up to the French standards of croissants.
We'll one day do our own taste test in France...for now, these are a must try!

Me with my croissant. I'm ready to devour.

Mark poses in front of the tiled sofa in Nieuwmarkt.

The morning dew did not allow for sitting.

This is my one luxury while living in Amsterdam.

Fresh flowers in the market daily. You can find 20 small roses for 2.50-3 euros.

Aaah, I feel like Oprah.

Mark & I stopped in this coffeeshop...uh, one that sells coffee...
Anyway, it was empty & we thought it was perfect for a photo.
Coziness in Amsterdam.

TO HAARLEM, HOLLAND FOR THE DAY!!!

It was such a beautiful day this past Saturday.

48 degrees...ok, our sense of beautiful has changed while living in the north...

Anyway, the sun was out (a rarity) & we decided to head to Haarlem.

Haarlem is the next town over to the west of Amsterdam.

We love this place & it has a cozy "European" feel.

Mark thought the ducks were cute.

Aah, it's a little couple.

What's so interesting on the left?

Oh, I think they are posing for the camera.

Work it...work it.....

This is the Saturday market in Haarlem, Holland.

Notice the church (seen in later photos). Mozart played here as a child.

One day we'll get photos of the inside for the blog.

Not this day, though. Lots of sun! Couldn't miss being outside.

Eel. Eeewwweeee!!!!

Fresh fish in the market...

Hmmm, reminds us of Seattle & Boston...

I'll pass. Keep on walkin'!

Mark in front of Sint Bravokerk (Saint Bravo Church).
Mozart played here as a child. Currently, they do organ recitals every Tuesday...
beginning in May.

Mark in Haarlem.

So happy by the water.

Look!

We found a windmill in Haarlem!

In Haarlem. Behind me is a sailboat, turned into canal house.

Love this view.

Me on a street in Haarlem.

We had such a good time walking around, discovering the city.

Mark getting patat frites w/ special peanut sauce.

The gentleman behind the counter was very friendly & had lots of questions for us about our new lives in Holland.

Mark enjoying the Patat Frites. Yumm!

Take note of the guy with the mustache behind Mark. He was born in Amsterdam & lived there for 27 years. He now resides in Haarlem. We've encountered lots of nice people living here.

We bought these beautiful roses in the market for 2.50 euros for 20 stuks.

Not bad!

Love 'em!