Amsterdam is so breathtaking these days, I find myself lost in its beauty. Icicles have formed on all the eaves of all the homes and all the boats. Our little boat looks like a floating gingerbread house, with layers and layers of thick icicles dangling down in front of the windows. Come dusk, the street lamps, canal lights and festive garlands twinkle against the deep blue sky and reflect in the dark, smooth water. Magic seems ever-present, and it makes me wonder if it’s not this very city that inspired favourite fairy tales from bygone eras.
On Sunday we took ourselves off across to the north of the city, to immerse ourselves in a different kind of snowy wonderland. Taking the little ferry across to buiksloterweg, we then walked along the edge of the florapark and on toward D’Admiraal windmill. The houses along the canals are ridiculously charming…
It was a dark and icy cold day – reminiscent of my winters in Montreal, when the freezing air was unrelenting, being sure to bite through to my bones. Before heading back on the ferry, we decided to stop in to this lovely place for a warming drink. We sipped and read our books as the dark day turned to night, and the menu looked so good we decided to stay for dinner…
The food was fabulous, as was the service and the setting.
Dear friends, I’ve decided this will be my last post for the year. It’s been such an intense yet exhilarating last few months while finishing My Heart Wanders – I’ve been running on adrenalin with very little sleep, working by day and having meetings at night (australian time). I’m delighted to finally let you know it’s all finished and is now in the hands of the printers. Celebration time! In the next few days, champagne will be poured and glasses will be raised to toast the end of all the hard work – my only regret is that I cannot share the champagne toasting with the team at Murdoch in Sydney who have been working so hard with me – it’s not easy working on such a book from opposite ends of the globe, but it is kinda exciting to know that with all the technology at our finger tips these days, it can be done. Cheers to that!
With the book launch in April and various other events already being scheduled throughout the year, 2011 is going to be busy but I’ve decided already, it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. Before that though, there are going to be some big changes in the coming month and as much as I want to share it all with you now, like a sensible girl I’ve realised I need to conserve the little energy I have left and focus on getting through it. So I will be signing off from the (blog)house for the coming month or so, but when I come back, there will be lots of fabulous news to share with you and many wonderful posts. Even though I won’t be in the (blog)house for the next month, you are still very welcome to wander through at your leisure – I built this house for you guys to enjoy as much as for me, so please do enjoy. There are recipes in the kitchen that perhaps you haven’t tried, and books in the library you might like to peruse; you can take a stroll through the neighbourhood and see what everyone is up to; or listen to some music; or take a virtual tour through one of my 3 favourite cities – amsterdam, paris, and sydney.
Next year I’ll be adding more features to the (blog)house – perhaps even do some renovating, or maybe add a room or two? It’s an ever-growing house, one that I feel very lucky to be sharing with all of you.
Thanks again for another year of fun. I wish you a wonderful, wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year. 2011, here we come!!
xx
PS. I have one last thing to share with you, something that I am beyond thrilled to be able to post before the year is out. coming up next…
Dear Pia,
Have a great and relaxing Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2011. Great things will happen in this new year!
X, Miranda
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Your pics are wonderful. I want to be there. Especially I like the little houses. They are so cute and romantic.
love your blog!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Oooh thank you for these wonderful pictures!!! Maybe this is the biggest christmas gift for me!! I lived near the buiksloterweg station this summer and I fell in love with everything (!) there! But I had to get back to Germany, because of school. And now, I am homesick and I wanted to fly to Amsterdam a few days ago, but my flight was canceled (snow snow snow…). It is making me so happy to look at these pictures!
I wish you great christmas days, with a lot love and wonderful moments! And a successful and happy new year!
And thank you again..
Larissa
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Ah, so beautiful … I really want to know Amsterdam sometime soon .. And here, the summer of 40 degrees!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
My appreciation for my adopted city grows every time I see it reflected through your writing and photography. What a magical winter it is! Happy Holidays and thank you for the never-ending inspiration!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
It’s so good that you’re taking some time for yourself! Enjoy the celebrations, enjoy your beautiful city, enjoy your rest!
I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for the new year!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Beautiful post! I wish we had some snow for christmas over here in Kenya!
Enjoy your blog break and I’m looking forward to following your adventures in 2011!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Pia,
Congratulations on such a huge year and thank you for sharing all the beautiful moments with all of us all around the world. Still amazes me that we can have little peaks at someone elses creative life and process on the other side of the globe. Rest, Rest, Rest! You must. Enjoy the holiday season and thank you for the beautiful pictures. The snow effect made me smile a little surpirse!
Best to you in 2011
Kim
December 23rd, 2010 | #
gorgeous houses in beautiful photos!
have a wonderful christmas and new year and good luck with all your adventures! take care xx
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Savour a little serenity, soak up the celebrations and enjoy your magical winter wonderland…
You inspire me daily and I’m so looking forward to wandering with you through 2011…what a year it’s going to be!
Merry Christmas to you and your very talented ‘French Boy’!
Ingrid x
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Thanks for all your inspiration …. and have a wonderful Christmas XXX
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Such beautiful images, Pia. I love Amsterdam more and more with every visit. Enjoy your Christmas in France; will catch up with you in the new year. It’s going to be a fantastic one for both of us! 🙂 xo
December 23rd, 2010 | #
these pictures are so beautiful, winter in amsterdam through your eyes has been a gift to mine. Oh pia what a year it has been for you is right, you have done incredible work that has cased and has been shared in beautiful pages of books created by YOU! soon another will be presented to us as we know or i know with upmost certainty i am in awe of you, i wish you a joyeuse fete a toi et romain!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
the photo of the windmill is so awesome as well as those quaint houses. lovely. enjoy your holiday!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
I was in my beloved (hometown) Amsterdam last vriday after getting there after a trip of two and a half hours wich normaly takes 45 min´s,…through snow and failing trains due to the bad weather!…I´d booked a small hotel near the Skinny Bridge and it was just like you say….so wonderful! It was worth every minute of agony! I ADORE Amsterdam!!
December 23rd, 2010 | #
Do dear Pia,
Thank you so much for being such an exceptional blogger – your writing style, photography, topic areas and everything about your blog and you is so inspiring! These pics of Amsterdam top of another great year for you and I can’t wait to see your new book in April! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your man in la France – I am sure they will love all your hand made presents you found. Please take lots of pics in your month off, so you can share some with us in Feb!
A bientot, tot ziens and G’day, Ike xxx
December 24th, 2010 | #
I dislike the snow but these photos are so magical and make me like it a little bit more! Happy holidays!
December 24th, 2010 | #
Merry Christmas & many thanks for providing an interesting distraction, and many things to make the year that bit brighter.
December 24th, 2010 | #
Congratulations on finishing the book. A definite cause for celebration. I hope you have a wonderful and very relaxing holiday.
December 24th, 2010 | #
have a healthy and peaceful Holidays ! 🙂 i am excited as well on your book ! 🙂
December 27th, 2010 | #
Merry Christmas Pia, I hope you have a wonderful holiday. 🙂
December 29th, 2010 | #
ik krijg bijna heimwee, wat mooi! wij hebben in onze amsterdam tijd ook eens dit rondje gedaan, alsof je in een andere wereld terecht komt. en het is zo dichtbij, alleen het pontje over. groeten marieke
(pimpelwitstyling)
January 5th, 2011 | #
These photos are fabulously wonderful. Calmed my heart tonight.
January 6th, 2011 | #
what gorgeous photographs i rally want to go to Amsterdam now.
January 11th, 2011 | #
I just discovered your lovely blog. I’m just new into blogging & have just finished off my own blog on fashion & interior design.
scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com
I had a lot of fun putting it together. I would love your feedback on it if you’ve got a spare minute.
x
Melissah
January 22nd, 2011 | #
Looking through your Amsterdam and Paris related posts to get excited for my upcoming trip to both of these exquisite cities. Your photography is pleasing to my eye 🙂
April 2nd, 2011 | #