Celebrating June With Rose Petal Jam
It’s June in the Netherlands and, here in The Hague, wild roses are everywhere if you know where to look. We’ve seen them in playgrounds, in gardens and (by the millions) in the sand dunes along the beach. For keen home cooks, these roses aren’t merely pretty to look at. They’re edible! Just make sure …read more >>
Maritime Bread and Butter Pickles
It’s been nearly 20 years since my husband and I left home — the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick — for a life abroad. Looking back, there’s not much we miss. We feel more at home in the Netherlands than we do when returning to Canada but we still retain touches of our upbringing, …read more >>
Expat Questions: Who can I call if I need a doctor at night, on weekends or during holidays?
One of the best and most valued services we’ve discovered since moving to The Hague is SMASH — an out-of-hours emergency GP (huisarts) service. Via their telephone line (070 346 96 69) SMASH offers medical advice and referrals to see a doctor quickly at the Westeinde, HagaZiekenhuis (Leyweg) or MCH Antoniushove hospitals at all the times when …read more >>
A Guide To Buying A Bakfiets (Part 3)
This is the third part of our Bakfiets Buying Guide. Part 1 gave general tips for buying a new front-loading cargo bike, Part 2 highlighted popular models and this article – Part 3 – offers up some alternatives to traditional bakfietsen. #1. Onderwater Family Tandem Next to traditional bakfietsen, the Onderwater Family tandem bicycle is one …read more >>
Tips For Thomas Weekend At Utrecht’s Spoorwegmuseum
Every year in May, the Spoorwegmuseum (railroad museum) in Utrecht holds a Thomas Weekend. We attended this year for the first time and have a few tips to share if you’re also planning a trip to see Thomas. 1. Get A Museumkaart Unless this is the only museum you want to visit all year, buy …read more >>
How To Make Your Own Washing Powder: Cheap, Easy & Effective
This is a recipe for homemade washing powder or laundry detergent. We started mixing this up ourselves a few years ago. It’s incredibly easy to make (takes just 5 minutes to mix enough for several weeks!), costs about a fifth of the laundry soap we used to buy at the supermarket (Neutral 0%) and we …read more >>
A Guide To Buying A Bakfiets (Part 2)
In Part 1 of our Bakfiets Buying Guide, we gave general tips for buying a new front-loading cargo bike. Part 2 of this series highlights some popular models along with their plus and minus points. After this article read Part 3, featuring alternative setups for family bike transport. #1. Bakfiets CargoBike Long The CargoBike Long …read more >>
Habana Beach in Kijkduin: A Great Beach Cafe For Kids
Every spring, beach cafés open along the length of the North Sea Coast and on a sunny day there’s no nicer place to have a coffee or lunch. As parents, we’re particularly fond of Habana Beach in Kijkduin. Their large terrace includes quite a few tables and chairs located literally on the beach, plus some …read more >>
World’s Best Coconut Macaroons
Sweet. Chewy. Golden outside and soft inside. What’s not to love about coconut macaroons? These are at the top of my list of favourite cookies and not just because they taste so darn good. It’s also because they’re easy. If you need emergency “I have to go to a party tomorrow and totally forgot” cookies, …read more >>
High Tea at Bloem Cake Shop in The Hague
This year I made a decision about gift giving. From now on, I’m giving experiences rather than stuff to the people I love. So when one of my best friends — the amazingly talented Zoe — had a birthday, nothing seemed more appropriate than inviting her out for one of my favourite treats: high tea. …read more >>