From my own wardrobe I present a new combination, my big black and grey jumper with cream trousers and burgundy boots. I am making the most of my existing wardrobe. You saw this jumper before, worn with my silver pleated skirt. The cream trousers looked less sloppy worn with my green jumper in 2021 but I don’t mind, it’s just another look. The burgundy boots you have seen many times.
The photos were taken by my friend Lia (below), my darling friend since we were 16. She has an eclectic house, decorated with many things she and her husband brought from their many travels.
Below: Her husband Harry is a wizard at repairing cars and restoring antique cars. He is also an artist, creating stained glass decorations (you can see one behind Lia in the photo above). A man of many talents.
Below: Harry dressed to do some work on an antique car in a cold garage. The cupboards behind him are made by him as well.
Lia suggested taking the photos in a picturesque village near her, called Maasland. It is indeed adorable.
Below: Three beautiful old houses along a canal in pristine condition.
Below: We started the photo shoot at Museum De Schilpen. It is a house, shop and warehouse, preserved as it was in the old days (around 1900). You can visit it for free and buy old-fashioned sweets in the old-fashioned sweet shop. The front of the shop hasn’t changed since the beginning of the 19th century and the oldest parts of the house are from the 16th century.
Below: All those different sweets behind the window, yummy. A pity they weren’t open yet when we were there.
Below: When I see green doors, I know the photo will be good. Wearing my burgundy boots meant I could give that cute pink and burgundy bag another outing. You saw it two weeks ago.
Below: This was the baker’s cart.
Below: And a milk cart.
We strolled to the back of the church, searching for a bit of shade as the sun was so bright. The sunshine was even warming. We haven’t experienced that for a long time.
Below: The church. The first photo of this post was taken left from the gate.
Below: Continuing through the gate we found lovely houses and another bench. Assuming a different pose.
See the purple flowers behind the window?
Below: Sweet, a cat. She was walking along with the mother and daughter you see in this photo (they are hardly visible at the top left). I heard them hurrying along the cat. Apparently, the cat doesn’t run away.
Below: Close-up of my lovely hair(piece) and the burgundy earrings by Lara Design.
Below: As we returned, we passed this beautiful house. The sign in the canal says, “Be proud of our village and clean up your poop here too“, meaning doggie doings.
Below: The water looked a strange colour but the coots didn’t seemed bothered by it.
It was another splendid day with Lia.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday we saw daughter Nicky, her husband Randolf and the two granddaughters again. Always a feast.
Sunday I drove to Lia and we did the photo shoot for this post, chatting all day.
Monday was a day with no commitments apart from fitness. I hate doing fitness, but knowing it keeps my body supple and knowing how important it is to age well, I kick myself in doing it twice a week.
Tuesday in the early morning Ron drove me to a hospital, to see a plastic surgeon who specialises in hands. The beginning of the tendon canal in my trigger finger (pinky) will be widened. I thought I couldn’t use my hand for a while after the operation, therefore the date of the operation worried me. I am planning on going to Paris with Ron in March and to Milan with Susan (Une femme d’un certain âge) in May. The surgeon told me that I could use my hand immediately after the operation but that it would of course, be nicer if the stitches were out by the time I’d be travelling. I lucked out, someone cancelled an operation so I will have mine already on the 12th of February. The stitches will be removed two weeks later, plenty of time before travelling.
The rest of the day I spent with Marjolein doing another photo shoot. We had had enough of the cold weather and there was no sunshine that day, so we opted for a shopping mall as background. It might not be the nicest photo shoot but hey, you are going to get another post and it cannot always be fabulous. Highs are only appreciated by comparing them to lows.
Wednesday, again early morning, the chimney sweeper cleaned the chimney in 5 minutes and I spent most of the day blogging and doing some errands.
I found a moth jumping on our duvet cover which I killed immediately. When I changed the bed two days before, I noticed some white spots on the blue cover. As I tried to get them off, I noticed they weren’t spots but little holes. I blamed the cat in my head as the cover is cotton. Are the moths desperate? Not enough wool to eat? I did have moth traps in the wardrobe but as they are a year old, I replaced them with new moth traps.
In the afternoon Ron suggested we’d go into town to find the romper which our daughter Nicky wanted for their newborn daughter Evy. It was sold out everywhere.
Below: we found it.
Below: We got a bit carried away as there were so many adorable clothes, both for Evy as for her “big” sister Zoë. The strawberry items are definitely for Zoë as she loves the shirt with strawberries she already has, so much. Nevertheless, there is a little strawberry dress for Evy as well.
As a treat we had cappuccino in my favourite café De Roemer, with a double treat in the evening, having an Indonesian dinner at restaurant Sama Sama.
Thursday started with a visit to a new physiotherapist, one who came recommended by my friend Maurits. What Maurits told me about the treatment he received and how much it had helped him where other therapists had given up, made me very curious.
The man did not disappoint. He has a totally different approach to my wish of wanting to stand, sit and walk straight and my gut feeling says he is so right. He said, “It is no good to do exercises to strengthen your muscles without checking (and/solving) a possible mechanical deficiency in your body”.
He started with my ankles. Turned out that one ankle didn’t have the movement it should have. He solved that in the first half hour and gave me some sensible instructions like, sit with your knees bent at 90 degrees, don’t cross your legs or your feet, don’t hang to one side when you stand but stand firmly on your two feet. It takes some getting used to, but funnily enough I can already feel the difference. I bet that is just my own suggestive mind but as I said, my gut feeling tells me, this is the right approach. So I cancelled the Mensendieck therapist.
In the afternoon I created some videos of and with Marcella for her new website. Always fun to do. In the videos she is wearing different earrings while explaining details about them. Below: Marcella.
Then late afternoon Ron passed Froukje and Petro’s house and saw them painting their living room. He asked whether he should bring them an evening meal or would they like to eat with us? They chose the latter and we had a pleasant meal together.
Friday I visited my friend Neiske and her baby boy Jacob (below). Neiske is a single mum and a very relaxed one. Her son is an agile child and fun to watch. As I came in the door Neiske was holding him and he immediately stretched out his arms to me to be held. Is this a grandmother quality haha? Lovely little boy. We had a joyful couple of hours.
Below: I was wearing my puffy black co-ord as I can wash this easily. (Link to original post.) You never know how dirty you’ll get with a baby or a toddler around, but he didn’t spill anything on me.
That’s it for the week.
Greetje
Love the trousers tucked into the tall boots, and your puffy coords are fabulously sporty! I love your hair(piece!) – it looks completely natural, and I would not have known you were wearing one.
Sorry for my absence lately – work has been getting busier, as has my social life. I did it to myself…something has to give, and it’s usually blogging/Substack comments.
Darling, you know better than to apologize for your “absence”. It happens to me all the time. We also have a life to live. Bur I am glad you like the outfits.
Great outfit with the navy sweater and the boots. What a beautiful spot for a photo shoot, even the pretty cat. Your hair looks wonderful.
I’m crazy about the black puffer outfit. I’ve already mentioned that, but it is worth saying it again. It looks great on you!
So glad that your surgery was moved up and you will be healed for your travels. You will be so much more comfortable with that behind you.
As you write about posture, I pull myself up a bit straighter in my chair. I tend to be so slumped over in it. Good reminder.
Thank you for your kind words.
The black puffer co-ord is so comfortable and although I find it quite weird, most people love it. Little correction…the jumper is black with grey, not navy.
My posture problem lies mainly in not being able to constantly thinking about it.
Of course the sweater is black. It’s right there in the post title! Sorry about that.
My posture problem is the same.
Have a great rest of your week.
Hahaha, you are like me, not seeing the thing that is staring you in the face.
I really think my new therapist can help me with my posture, but that might also be just hope.
Love the outfit with tall boots. You look great!
That is a short but lovely comment Lisa. Thank you very much. I was trying to think of a clever reply in case somebody would ask me where I left my horse, but I couldn’t think of anything.
Greetje, thanks so much for your blog. I read it every week, though I never comment (always mean to!) It’s a treat for Sunday evening. Like your other readers I enjoy looking at the buildings and learning about the locations for your photoshoots. The clothes too, I can get an idea of what might suit me!
All the best
When I get comments like yours I always think “Better not stop blogging; apparently people do indeed enjoy it”. It is my pleasure Mo as it is a big hobby. Love every aspect of it. Thank you for commenting.
Looks like you had a fun and full week! You have interesting and creative friends – I love Harry’s jacket/jumper too. People who are creative are trying new ideas and processes, and therefore stay more youthful and current, and more interesting to be around.
Buying clothes and toys for babies, especially ones that we are related to, is delightful, and the merchants know how susceptible we are, they even call it “grandma fodder” 😄
I’m invested in your ongoing story about your trigger finger. I have one too, and it’s my middle finger, so if it gets stuck, it looks like I’m making a rude gesture 😄 so I have to be careful not to wave my hands around in public.
Hope you have a great week! 😊
Creativity comes in many shapes and forms. I always said that I am not creative as I cannot make anything nice from clay or with paint and such. Creating something with your hands is to nice. Alas no talent whatsoever. But when I say that I am not creative people always point at my blog. I suppose it is another form of creativity.
Grandma fodder doesn’t apply to me much as the children already have so much, I don’t want to add to that. So no gifts apart from birthdays. But clothes they can always use. And that only happens once every half year or so.
Your trigger finger gets stuck in upright position? That’s odd. My finger stays bent.
I enjoy reading your posts! I love your fashion sense and the combination of colors! Thanks for sharing your life with us and the pictures of the beautiful areas, homes, churches in the Netherlands!!!!
Thank you very much Cynthia for your sweets compliments. When I started this blog in 2012 it was just about what I was wearing. Later I thought it would be nice to have some lovely backgrounds as well. Now I sometimes think people like the buildings and areas more than the outfits haha.
We love both you, your outfits and the scenery in equal measure, but mostly you!
Your comment was the first one I read this morning. Girl, you made my day. Thank you very much.
Love the hairpiece, the outfit and love everything you post.
Please keep it weekly.
Your wish is my command Irena. I love everything about blogging and the interaction with people. I finally found my hobby although I would have loved a hobby with clay or paint. Alas, no talent whatsoever.
Great post, as usual. Love the outfits and photos. Hope all goes well with your hand. Glad you have trips to look forward to. They sound great!
Sometimes I wonder whether my posts aren’t getting boring. There is no real change in posts apart from the outfit and the background, the idea is the same. But, as long as I get comments like yours I think “Never change a winning team” haha.
You look great as always and your hair is beautiful. I have been considering a hairpiece. Can you tell us more? Is it real hair? How did you get the same color? Easy to use and care for? Can people tell at all that you are wearing it? Thank you!
Here are the answers to your questions Maryellen. I will also talk about it in next week’s post.
I got the same hair colour because the salon assistant knew exactly which one to pick. They have so many hairpieces and wigs.
It is easy to use, it takes about a minute. You have to learn where you put your first comb; in my case on my fringe. The rest follows. I have no experience with caring for it yet as I only have to wash it every 4 to 6 weeks and I don’t even use it every day, so it might be longer.
Tuesday I will go for a tutorial, get some pointers etc. It was good that I tried on my own first (after getting instructions of course). One of the combs doesn’t work properly and they are going to replace it. Because one comb doesn’t work properly I have the feeling that I am ‘digging into my skull’ too much with the comb and that is not nice. We’ll see how it feels after the tutorial and the new comb.
The funny thing is, when I wear it, I don’t feel it at all but when I take it off in the evening I feel relieved. Which makes that I don’t wear it every day, just when I go out and it isn’t for something boring like errands. And no, nobody can tell that I am wearing a hairpiece. Blabbermouth as I am, I am always telling people about my hairpiece and they are so surprised.
Hello You
Aw, didn’t many people comment last week then? Shame on them/us/ME! I don’t know about the others but I was a tad busy last weekend looking after the old fella and his new hip – and then suddenly going down with something quite nasty, right out of the blue.
But here I be this week (not proper English, but colloquial), ready with my wit and wisdom – which I know you just lurve – about this week’s outfit…so here goes…
I like it! And that’s all I need to say. My question though is, where’s the horse?!
Hugs
Gee x
Hahaha..”where is the horse”? In the stable. Apparently it is an equestrian look but I know that fashion has adopted this look as well. I don’t follow fashion that much but when I see something in the magazines that I like and can put to together, then why not be fashionable.
I knew in my heart that the lack of comments was coincidental. As I said to myself “they are all just busy living their lives”.
I hope you and your husband are both OK again.
Love the close-up photo of your hair, which looks gorgeous! You are right about how pretty those houses are — and so meticulously kept.
You are so fortunate to have granddaughters. I would love to be able to buy all those sweet girly clothes. Mind you, grandsons are great too!
As you know, I love your blog and am eager to see posts each week. No changes needed for me 🙂
Especially in the country people maintain their house much better than in the city, I think. Don’t know why. Afraid of village gossip? More people knowing and watching you than in a city?
I have to admit that shopping for girls’ clothes is easier than for boys although the shops are getting better. And at least you have grandchildren, they are so funny.
I won’t change the blog ‘formula’ haha. Promise.
I look forward to reading your blog each week, Greetje, and have been following along for a number of years, but only comment very occasionally. I am feeling guilty about that and honestly never thought about the fact that few comments may lead to you questioning your content. I love your combination of fashion, friends, locales, etc. Keep it up. I will keep commenting.
Don’t you worry about commenting Marta and certainly not guilty; it isn’t necessary to comment. It was just that the people who usually comment were less in numbers. It is my own insecurity. And I can see in the statistics how many people read the post, so that was a reassurance.
But now that you did comment, thank you for your kind words. I feel chuffed.
Greetje, your outfit must have made you feel very comfortable. There is a difference in how you hold yourself and smile. Your granddaughters are
very lucky little girls- lots of gifts from grandparents with good taste and
amazing persistence. I bet you won’t admit how many shops it took to
find the requested sleepers!
I don’t know Beth. Perhaps it was the nice time I had with Lia? The relaxed Sunday? The fact she was willing to photograph and thus provide me with blog photos? The hair I didn’t have to worry about? No idea.
Contrary to what you believe, we don’t give our granddaughters a lot of gifts. They already have soooo much, no need to add to that. And we didn’t have to go to many shops as Nicky had already found out in what town the romper she wanted was still available. And then we saw all the other cute clothes. Lucky for us this is an inexpensive shop.
Thank you for blogging every week. Your style, location sites, and humor just make me smile through the day. I scanned your comments this time and love the quote on fat cells. I am laughing out loud and sending it to friends right now.
Thanks for the compliments Gayle. It is my pleasure entirely. I get so much joy out of blogging through all aspects. The photo shoots with friends or husband, the photo editing (minor, never wrinkles or such), the creating of the post and of course the interaction with readers such as yourself.
The joke about the fat cells is one that I keep stored in my phone.
You look just charming in the first photo! It may be my favorite ever. I think too that your joy in the person you’re looking at sometimes shows through! I enjoy your blog so much – besides the clothes, all your doings in interesting places, and also the daily happenings. I look forward to it each week but rarely comment, so don’t ever think we’re not appreciating it.
Oh good of you to say so. Last week, when I got only a few comments I was worried I might not create the right content.
You don’t have to comment at all Jane, but I am glad you did so this time.
And you are right, it makes a world of difference whether you take a photo with a remote or whether there is a nice person behind the camera.
Greetje, there’s a subtle lift in your spirits which shows…newfound confidence with your solution to your hair challenges ? You just look radiant, and spending time with a long time friend no doubt is such a pleasure. Thanks for including shots of the homes and buildings in the local area of Maasland. Always such a bonus in your blogs. There is no way I could ever stuff my pant legs into tall boots. I have broad bones in my short legs beneath my knees , so that gives fitting tall boots difficult. I may try looking for a pair again now that I am somewhat thinner…but unlikely that includes that particular part of my body! Your first outfit looks great on you. So good to meet Lia and Harry…such a creative couple. It shows in their surroundings. Love the eclectic mix, especially Harry’s stained glass.
My Pilates is twice a week, and quite honestly, if I stayed at home and did a solo exercise routine , I would not be very successful. So good for you for your self discipline, Greetje ! As I have a few quirks, my instructor always makes sure I am aligned before beginning a move. I too need to be aware of my stance , as well as how I sit…it’s amazing how out of sorts my body can become by not being conscious of what I am doing. So good you now have a practitioner who is going to work with your own “mechanical deficiencies “.
It isn’t fair that the one part of your body you really want to change, never changes like other parts do or can. We’ll just have to work around it. I loved the joke about ‘cells’. It goes like this,
Brain cells die, skin cells die, even hair cells die. But FAT CELLS…must have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior because they seem to have eternal life”.
And I am glad your pilates instructor takes such good care of you. Keep on going.
You look stunning as usual. I love the new hair, it makes you look 20 years younger. I thought that last week and I wish I’d said it then. I do hope your operation is a success and that your recovery is swift and painless. Finally, I would just like to say how Greetjeful (:D) I am that I follow Susan (un femme) otherwise I would never have found your wonderful blog.
The hair does make me look younger, doesn’t it? I am glad you had planned on commenting last week. I was beginning to wonder as there were so little comments and I liked the post so much. Probably just coincidence.
Greetjeful is a nice find. I’ll keep that.
Sometimes Susan links to my blog and I am always in hope that I’ll get a lot of new readers but most of the time, people don’t stick. You however, did. Mwah.
Love your first outfit with the pants tucked into the boots – very equestrian!
The photos are great. What a lovely town.
Your hairpiece is amazing. You would never guess it wasn’t real, and it looks really good.
Does your new physical therapist follow a particular philosophy?
Have a good week.
It is rather equestrian, isn’t it? My English editor teased me by calling me a posh bitch when she saw the photos. I had to laugh.
My hairpiece is a life saver but I do need more tutoring which I will get next Tuesday.
My new physical therapist does not follow a particular philosophy, just another approach. He first looks at your posture, the position of the body (elements) and only after he has insured that ‘mechanically’ you are OK, the physiotherapy might start. But he says he often lets the body itself solve the difference in position he has given you. If in time the body is unable to do that…you’ll get it.
The best advice I ever got from a physical therapist was what you heard, also — stand on both feet. I hadn’t realized, but I definitely was putting more weight on one than the other, and thereby screwing up my knees, hips, and back. Standing on both feet was an amazing revelation. PS, as usual, I like your last outfit the best. And — Lia and her husband are cool!
It is indeed a very good advice to stand on both feet and I also heard it before. Only now it sunk in. I was giggling that you like my last outfit best, again. Shall I just limit myself to bedroom photos in my posts?
I really like your outfit this week. Looks so comfy! But that hairpiece! Girl, you cannot tell it’s not your real hair. Good job, picking it out and putting it on! Have a good week. I, so enjoy your weekly posts!
The hairpiece is great and I am greatful, but even so I have to watch that it doesn’t collapse and that the hair falls flat along my face. Tuesday I will get a tuturial in the salon how to deal with this thing.
Glad you enjoy my posts so much. Last week I only got a few comments and I was getting worried.
Gorgeous Greetje!!! I love your boots hun and I hope you had a lovely time,
Hugs,Paula,XXX
Your hairpiece looks great! Also love your padded suit. Very ninja!
Where was it from?
I am very pleased with my hairpiece although I need some tutoring on how to backcomb it. I have an appointment on Tuesday.
The suit is from VDR (Viadellerose). Here is the link, https://www.viadellerose.eu/ But I bought the suit last year.
Thanks Paula. We sure did have a good time. We never had anything but a good time. The boots were a mighty good discovery, which is why I also have them in camel/cream.
I look forward to your blog every week. I just love the local sites you photograph and your clothes are fun and you are always so joyful.
Thank you for sharing your days with us. I especially like your shopping your closet. So many blogs push buying new clothes. I find I have more than enough and just need inspiration on how to wear what I have differently.
I have to be joyful Kathy, you don’t want to read a miserable blog post now do you? Fortunately it is no problem for me to be joyful. I have a terrific life and a photo shoot with friends or husband is always fun.
Thanks for confirming that showing old clothes in new combinations doesn’t put you off. I was getting worried my posts might get boring (as in “Not those jeans AGAIN!!”).
I don’t have to push clothes as I am not earning a penny with that. Gives me freedom to do whatever I want and I am a sucker for freedom.
Your blog is a delight: the shots of all the lovely buildings always lift the spirits! And today you are looking so happy…and so young. Bless you.
The hairpiece does a lot for my youthful appearance haha. And thank you for the compliments. I aim to please.