i've got a crush...

...on two new girls who popped into my life and I just had to share! Please let me introduce to you, Anél (left) and Arden (right). 

Anél and Arden carrying our trees from the market. Three (3!) for 5 euros! THREE!

london...

...is definitely one of the most brilliant cities in the world and so in stride with tourists' needs. It's incredibly easy to get around this gigantic city with the many way-finding devices, superb public transit (when it's not on strike), and urban eye candy that knocks your socks off. The old buildings and monuments, Christmas light displays, never ending pedestrian streets and alleyways, and all the free (!) museums can keep you wandering the streets for hours on end -- even in the bitter cold and rain. And when you need a break, there's always a cozy pub just around the corner to warm you up with mulled wine and fish and chips.

The charming local pub in Kensington

a quest for a home...

... can be exhausting in another country. Its been so cold here (25ish) and snowy but check it out: we found a place! The hard part was choosing between neighborhoods: 'burbs or city center? When I say 'burbs, I really mean its only about 10 by bike to the city center or a 10-15 min walk to most life's essentials (only some restaurants and bars, but grocery store, bookstores, cafes, etc). After seeing eight apartments it came down to three places: two in the city center and one in the ‘burbs. Both city center apartments are a stone's throw from a major grocery store, an organic grocery store, TONS of shopping, restaurants, bars, the metro (at which to meet guests!!), etc. So here were the final 3 contestants:

pannekoeken...

...is a staple here in the Netherlands - possibly even a food group! It's a delectable, razor thin, frisbee-sized pancake that usually holds some butter and powdered sugar, and if you're up for it, a drizzle of cognac. Pannekoeken's littlest sister is the poffertje (POFF-er-chya), a bite size space ship saucer of dough also doused with butter, powdered sugar ... and cognac. 10 for 2.50 Euros, served hot. Perfect for the 30-degree weather nowadays! The middle child of this flour-y family is the olliebolle (OH-LEE-bohl), which only makes its stubbornly, unceasing appearance during the holiday season at every corner of every street. Biting into this baseball of deep-fried dough, literally an ‘oil ball,’ causes a cloud of powdered sugar to cover your entire face (and hands and lapels and the tops of your shoes); but the crunchy outside and warm center is worth the dusting off after.

Poffertjes

Poffertjes