As the final dishes were cleared and both the moon and the volume of the music was rising, the two of us snuck out onto the concrete patio overlooking the greens of my teenage years. The same ones I imagined I’d marry my best friend on. We peered back in through the floor to ceilingContinue reading “Give Grace”
Author Archives: Mandi Van Dellen
9:40
Ever have a moment where you find yourself staring at the clock with so much intent that you are sure it could explode? Have you ever found yourself flipping through the pages of your calendar counting the days until x. But then realizing that the number of days still sounds like too many, so youContinue reading “9:40”
An Unfinished Book
Have you left a book unfinished? I have. Typically, this occurs for two reasons: I didn’t like it, or I haven’t had time to finish it. Oma and Opa (Bob and Sue) Van Dellen are like an unfinished book to me (I know what you’re thinking, keep reading). Growing up in our small Northern MichiganContinue reading “An Unfinished Book”
Berber baked bread & the Marrakech Medina
I asked Andy to author his adventure with Annie (his mom). Assembling an alliterated article was his approach. As anyone assumes, Andy arrived on this annoying attempt unaccompanied. Mandi and the munchkin maintained the manner while mom and I made moves to Morocco. Mainly motoring and marching through the Marrakech Medina, many memories were made.Continue reading “Berber baked bread & the Marrakech Medina”
Hoi, Ciao, Bonjour
Bucket lists… are a funny thing. Or maybe we are funny about them? Growing up, I had a bucket list and imagined I would someday start checking things off it. But to be honest, there weren’t a lot of things on that list because a bucket list was supposed to be filled with extravagant to-do’s.Continue reading “Hoi, Ciao, Bonjour”
A Ride of Emotions
It was three or four months into our Adventures in Amsterdam. I was adjusting to the cold, dark and rainy season. Learning how to force myself to get out of bed when it felt like it was still the middle of the night. I worked on penciling in some me time. A blend of both,Continue reading “A Ride of Emotions”
Dwelling on the Days
I don’t know about you but I’m 100% guilty. Guilty of negative dwelling. Andy and I disagree and suddenly our relationship is falling apart. We have one bad day and I equate that to weeks and weeks of dissatisfaction. A few pending tasks that I can’t complete alone, or at least, I think I can’t,Continue reading “Dwelling on the Days”
The Adolescents’ View of Amsterdam
“If we experienced life through the eyes of a child, everything would be magical and extraordinary. Let our curiosity, adventure and wonder of life never end.” Akiane Kramarik Last month, Andy, Cooper and I had the pleasure of hosting in Amsterdam my sister Megan, her husband Eric, and their two girls, Rylee and Hailey. ThisContinue reading “The Adolescents’ View of Amsterdam”
Just Some Words on a Page
I can’t do it. I know. I said I was ready and I am. Just not right now. It’s been nearly 10 months and I haven’t gone a day without him at my side. What was I thinking, planning a trip to another country while he stays here with you? In through the nose forContinue reading “Just Some Words on a Page”
New Years from the Netherlands…or is it Holidays in Holland?
I love the clog ornament. It screams Dutch to me. Although, it says Holland on the clogs… I want them to say the Netherlands…given that’s where we are living. …I wonder why this shop, here in Amsterdam, doesn’t have any ornaments that say the Netherlands on them? Holland, the Netherlands…wait, are these two locations the same place? I found myself pondering thisContinue reading “New Years from the Netherlands…or is it Holidays in Holland?”