MMM Pancakes!

Last night our friend Bart came over with his new girlfriend Marijke. Well she’s not really new to him, they’ve been together for like 3 years or something, we just haven’t seen him in that long. Shameful huh? One of my absolute favorite people here in NL and haven’t seen him in years! I’d try to describe him but he’s someone you just have to experience, but I’ll say he’s one of the friendliest and most kind hearted people I’ve ever met. He’s also a total smartass.. but I mean, like all the Dutch aren’t!

Bart and Marijke

I was so curious about what kind of girl Bart had ended up with, what she was like, how she treated him, etc. When I looked out the window and saw them getting out of the car I yelled to Xander “She’s so PRETTY!”. I also noticed that he had a box with him and some flowers. Aaah I love that about the Dutch, whenever they come to visit they bring you presents! I ended up with three beautiful bouquets of flowers which are still miraculously alive and not eaten by my cats already!

I love flowers and this gave me a great excuse to get the camera out and take some more photos. I clearly haven’t gotten over my love of macro photos of flowers, oh well I can think of worse habits to have.

You can see the larger versions of these photos in my Nature Gallery

So back to the girlfriend, after a short time sitting chatting with her we quickly saw she is just as lovely on the inside, which was great because we wouldn’t want anything less for our old friend Bart.

She’s much different than most other Dutch girls I’ve met, which is a very good thing indeed. She and Bart seem so happy together, it was great watching him with her as I’d never seen Bart together with a woman. He was usually just one of the group of guys we got together with. I could tell he really loves her, of course the fact that he told me helped. hehe

We went for dinner at the Pannenkoekenhuis Oude Mass in Barendrecht, which is just outside Rotterdam. I’ve been there once before and loved it, so I thought it would be the perfect place for the four of us to get some food and chat. It’s very gezellig (Dutch for cozy) there and the food is great!

On the way out to the car, Marijke slipped off the curb and twisted her ankle. I almost wanted to cry for her because I knew exactly how she was feeling. It’s been 1.5 months since I twisted my ankle and it still gets very uncomfortable at times. I can walk more normal now though since about a week ago. Thank god, I was getting so tired of that weird wonky limp! For those of you who missed out on my whining you can still look here and give me some belated pity.

So yeah, getting back on topic (again) I’m totally going to bug the shit out of Xander and Bart until solid plans are made to see him and Marijke again! (Shit I hope I’ve been spelling her name right this whole time…)

Bailey lounging around on Xander.. as usual

This picture really has nothing to do with my day yesterday. It’s just an example of one of a million times I look at the two favorite boys in my life and smile. Anyone who comes to our house would think Bailey is the most hyper, nutty dog that ever lived. They’d may be right but when it’s just us at home he’s so cuddly and calm. He loves to cuddle up with Xander and sleep on his legs. So cute! I don’t think I could possibly love them more…