Istanbul's Hagia Sophia

Some of the sites in Istanbul are just too amazing to lump into a single post, and the Hagia Sophia (also known as the Ayasofya in Turkish) definitely was one of those. It literally took our breath away, but not at first. Sure the building from the outside was cool, and old, but the facade did not prepare us for what we would find inside. 

The Hagia Sophia was dedicated in 360 AD. The current structure was re-built in 532 and for 900 years served as the center for Orthodox Christianity until 1453 when the Ottomans took over the city and turned it into a mosque. Notice the minaret, the slender tower in the back. A muezzin, or Islamic religious leader, would call followers to prayer from that minaret.  The Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum in 1943.

 This originally had 12 sheep on it, representing the 12 apostles.

We walked into an enormous vestibule and were greeted by these doors. Notice how worn the marble foot plate is? We wondered how many thousands of people have walked across this threshold.

 Standing in front of the doorway. The room behind us is epic in size.

Main area. Byzantine Emperors were coronated in this very room.

view from the second floor

Christian mosaics plastered the walls and ceilings except where they had been literally covered over by a thick layer of plaster when the Islamic Ottomans took over the region. This is a sample of several of the mosaics that were created between the 10th and 12th centuries.

 Dixie standing near the mosaics on the second floor.

Melanie walking up the stair well's sloping floor to the second floor.

Josh found this little gem almost by accident. The rest of us had walked right by and out the doors  without noticing the art on the ceiling.

Istanbul's Basilica Cistern

We were in awe by the Basilica Cistern. It was built in 532 AD during the reign of Emperor Justinianus. 336 marble columns hold up the domed roof. The walls are made of a special brick and mortar mix that is waterproof.

If you look closely, you can see several large fish swimming in the water. I would guess that they were at least 20 plus inches long.

 Proof that we were indeed here and that we didn't just steal the images from the web
...or did we? 

 Medusa's upside down head on the bottom of one of the columns.

Simonis & the North Sea

Simonis is a sea food restaurant that came highly recommended. (Thanks Court!) It is a little restaurant on the shore of the North Sea in the town of Scheveningen, Netherlands.

 We realized, too late, that we didn't take a pic of our food. So you get to see the leftovers. 

Man, It. Was. Good.

I'm actually craving the grilled tuna and whatever the name is for the amazing dipping sauce...

Thanks, Lamar for bringing us!!

It's probably kind of silly, but one of the things on my bucket list for this trip, was to get wet in the North Sea. Now, by saying "get wet", I don't mean to imply swimming. I started out by trying to stick my finger in the water, but the camera and waves weren't cooperating. 

So off with the shoes and into the water I went after reminding Josh and Lamar that my expensive cell phone was zipped into my pocket. My own little insurance policy. Lamar said that cell phones are easy to replace. Drat.

Brr it was cold. Notice the little snowflakes falling in the air???

these are a few of my favorite things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad.

Sorry about breaking into song, but I just couldn't get Julie Andrews voice out of my head as I thought of this next post. In fact, I'm singing the words right now to the song "My Favorite Things" (hope that makes you smile, Mom!) But, why, oh why didn't we get more pictures of those simple little things that we loved about Holland?? Here a few of my favorite things about our trip to the Netherlands.

Having fun with Lamar and Melanie 

Nieuwe Kerk "New Church" bell tower, Delft

 riding bikes to do shopping on the Langstraat

 sunrise from our bedroom

 the moist, cloudy days (my hair is still freaking out and is a static mess now that we're home!) and the green

garden wall on the Langstraat

shopping for groceries in Dutch

Leiden, Netherlands

Day 2 of our Holland adventure started out with Uncle Lamar graciously offering to take us to the town of Leiden. Our first stop was at Molen De Valk. "Molen" is the Dutch word for windmill, and "De Valk" is falcon. 

There were once 19 windmills built on the city walls of Leiden, but De Valk is the only one standing today. It was built in 1743 after replacing it's wooden predecessors that had been built in 1611 and 1667.

It was built to mill grains. The miller actually lived here with his family in the bottom two floors. 

It was briefly used as an observation post by the Dutch military in 1940, and still has bullet holes in some of the walls.

After visiting the windmill, we decided to head into old town Leiden. First stop, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities).  It actually houses the Egyptian temple, the Temple of Taffeh, which was taken apart in Egypt and reconstructed in the museum. The Temple of Taffeh was built in the 1st century AD and was given as a gift from Egypt. 

The museum also had collections from ancient Greece, Rome and prehistoric, Roman and medieval Netherlands. 

We also took a little stroll through town, crossing over a beautiful canal. We parked next to this little canal, twice. The first time was on purpose, the second time was due to a GPS error. (We drove around town and back to where we started. Thanks GPS!)

We toured the Pilgrim's Museum. The Pilgrim Museum was particularly interesting because it was a home that was built somewhere between 1365-1370. A lot of the homes on the street were built at that same time. The street looked a lot like the picture above (minus the canal). It boggled my mind to think that this building has been standing for almost 650 years. 

The museum tells the stories of the founders of New England. I had forgotten that many pilgrims had fled to the Netherlands for a time, and I'm sure that if I would have had the time, I could have found information about some of our ancestors here. It you want to read more, click here. 

So that I don't bore you further with any more details, here's a collage of some of the highlights from our day in Leiden, which is code for "pictures that mostly turned out".

pannekoek anyone?

I like food. That's not a surprise to anyone that knows me. But, I had seriously low expectations about the food that I would find in the Netherlands. I guess I was thinking something along the lines of bland British food. 

Now Turkey? My expectations were high. Everyone says Turkish food is amazing. So you can imagine my chagrin when I became utterly sick of kabobs and started craving my favorite Dutch food, pannekoek (or pancakes). Everywhere we went in Istanbul, vendors and restaurant owners would shout out "Kabobs! Kabobs! You want!"

It isn't that the kabobs are bad. Well, mostly. I would recommend avoiding the beef, which was more like ground up left over beef bits including some crunchy parts that I would like to forget about. However, the chicken was actually really good. It was just that after 3 days, I was ready for a change.

Here's a typical chicken "kabob" style meal with rice, grilled veggies, and pita bread and mini-coke

If food boredom wasn't bad enough, the liquids held a problem all of their own. I think that this little 7 ounce bottle of water cost somewhere around 5 euros. And refills definitely are not free. This ushered in a period of water rationing that left us craving American dining.

But things really weren't all bad. Belgium waffles, Dutch stroopwafels (a wafer-like waffle that is filled with caramel) and chocolate were all plentiful. Shopping for chocolate never got old.

Dixie shopping for chocolate in Belgium.

And of course, the Dutch make great cheese. Their gouda (pronounced how-dah) was yummy. I especially liked the pesto and truffle varieties. And, NO, truffles are not chocolate. They are a mushroom. 

Josh sampling gouda in Delft, Netherlands

But, my all time favorite? Well, second to the Belgium waffles, stroopwafels and chocolate, but that goes without saying, was the Dutch pancakes, called pannekoek. They are thin, more crepe-like than pancake-like. They serve them with everything from chocolate, fruit, and/or whip cream, to eggs, bacon and cheeses.  They also eat them all during the day. This was our lunch in Leiden, Netherlands:

Notice the meat on Lamar's plate? And this was my lunch in Delft. Gouda, tomatoes and who knows what else. It was YUM!

Melanie and Dixie eating lunch

So just in case you are interested, here's a recipe for pannekoek for you to try.

Dutch Pancakes (Pannekoek)

1 c flour
2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar

1. Combine all ingredients together in electric blender and blend at high speed for 30 seconds, or until batter is smooth.

2. Allow batter to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

3. In heavy skillet, melt 1-2 tbsp butter over moderate heat to coat entire bottom of pan, and pour in batter, tipping pan gently from side to side to evenly coat the bottom of the pan. Too much batter will make the pannekoek too thick, too little batter will make for irregular shaped pannekoek.

4. If desired, add thin slices of cooked bacon, thin sliced gouda, or apple slices. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the top of the pancake is dry and the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip over and cook remaining side.

5. Serve warm. 

Topping ideas:
-currents, raisins, apple slices
-cooked bacon, thin sliced gouda, sliced tomatoes
-hazelnut spread, chocolate sprinkles, apple butter or jam
-syrup

Napoleon makes a deal

Lander and his classmates, Kelton and Cassie

Lander played the role of Napoleon Bonaparte in a play today at school.  He even had a solo where he sang about the Napoleon selling the Louisiana Territory to the US. He did so good! He seriously brought tears to my eyes as he sang his solo.  Now I have tears again, because I can't get his song to post. 

Drama. Drama. Drama....

It's how we roll.

(Lander with Papa and Mom)

Brugge...Brugge....Bruggggge

Aww, Brugge. What can I say about this magical place?

We learned that it is called "The Venice of the North", and it's not a stretch to figure out why. This was the view directly across the street from our B&B. It felt almost too good to be true. 

Like many European cities, it's old, with it's "golden age" running from the 12th to 15th century when Brugges was a major trading center. Many of the buildings hale from that time period.

We toured a lot of old buildings, including the Belfry. It is a medieval bell tower that was built in 1240. We walked the 366 steep and winding steps to the top of the building and were inspired by not only the views, but the vicious wind that cut through the open windows.

"The Belfry of Bruges"

In the market-place of Bruges stands the belfry old and brown;

Thrice consumed and thrice rebuilded, still it watches o'er the town.

-Henry Wadsworth Longefellow

Probably my favorite place of all was a little bridge walkway next to the Church of Our Lady. If you look in the picture, you can see the little foot bridge. It looks old, but it's not. It was built in the 19th century. Only in Europe is that considered new. We couldn't get enough of this place.

Of course, one cannot go to Belgium and not try the food. Did you know that French fries were actually invented here? They fry them twice and they really were good. And then there's chocolate. We had a running debate. Josh preferred the Dutch chocolate that we had tried in the Netherlands. Dixie preferred the Belgium. Uncle Lamar settled the debate when he gave us Norwegian chocolate, the hands down best, but that's for another post.

But let's not forget waffles. The waffles are different than "Belgium" waffles that we've always eaten. Yes, they looked the same. Yes, toppings can be added. But that's about where the similarities stop. They are a sweet, doughy treat that can be eaten plain or with chocolate and whipped cream on top. They were so good, that I found this recipe to try out:

Real Belgium Waffles

1 (.25 oz) package active dry yeast
1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
3/4 c lukewarm milk
3 eggs
1 c melted butter
2 tsp vanilla 
3 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c pearl sugar (such as Lar's Own)

Directions

1. Sprinkle the yeast and white sugar over warm milk in a small bowl. The milk should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 15 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.
2. Whisk the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract into the yeast mixture until evenly blended; set aside. Stir together the flour and salt in a separate large bowl, and make a well in the center. Pour the egg mixture into the well, then stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Gently mix in the pearl sugar.
3. Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
4. Place a baseball-size ball of dough on the preheated waffle iron. Cook waffles until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough. Allow waffles to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

And I learned that pearl sugar can be ordered online from here. Good thing, because I need a sugar fix. Now. So maybe I will order some pearl sugar. Right now. 

Okay, now that the shopping is done...

my life is but a weaving

My life is but a weaving

between my God and me,

I do not choose the colours,

He works so steadily,

Oft times He weaves in sorrow,

and I in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper,

and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent,

and the shuttle cease to fly,

Will God unroll the canvas,

and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

in the Weavers skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

in the pattern He has planned.

 handkerchief embroidered by Corrie ten Boom

I would have to say that the most poignent moment of our travels happened when we stopped in at the Corrie ten Boom House in Haarlem. I have to admit that two weeks before our trip to the Netherlands, I didn't really even know who she was. Sure, I had heard of her name. I had even heard of her most famous book, The Hiding Place, but that was the extent of things. I wanted to read some Dutch literature before our trip, so I quickly purchased the e-book and started reading.

I couldn't put the book down.

I wanted to learn more. With the helpful advice of my cousin, we decided to visit the home of Miss ten Boom. It was a visit that I will never forget. 

Why, you might ask?

It wasn't because of the fancy artwork or amazing architecture in their mis-matched and pieced together home, but because of the story that we learned while sitting in the ten Boom living room. It is a story of a small family that lived their lives completely based on faith, and because of that faith (and a lot of courage) they were able to help save Jewish refugees fleeing German occupation and imprisonment during WWII, even at the cost of some of their own lives. It is estimated that they saved the lives of about 800 Jews plus members of the Dutch resistance.

I don't want to say more, because I hope that you will read the book. Please. Look for their examples of faith such as the time that Corrie needed ration cards to buy food and prayed for guidance. The answers always came.

Just like they do in our lives, if we listen.

After the war, Corrie often spoke about her experiences. At the end of the talk, she would read Grant Colfax Tullar's poem, "The Weaver" while showing a handkerchief that she had embroidered. Look at the tangled mess of the back side.

Too often, that is what we see of ourselves. 

A gnarled, ugly mess.

Corrie reminded all to stop, and take a look at the front side of our lives just as the Lord does. He doesn't see a tangled web, but a beautiful life in the process of being perfected. Not only that, but some of those ugly knots are just as important as the pretty ones.

Visiting the ten Boom house was a surprisingly spiritual experience. Reading the book has given me greater insight on how I can improve my listening skills with the Lord and reiterated my belief in living my life by faith and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Corrie ten Boom is an amazing lady!


Josh standing next to an opening made in the false wall in Corrie's bedroom. Refugees would hide behind this wall in the tiny space by crawling in through the bottom shelf in the built in clothes closet. A false door would slide shut, concealing the entrance. When the ten Boom home was raided, four Jewish refugees and two resistance fighters hid in this space for 47 hours while German soldiers searched for them. They were never found.

The German soldiers did find extra food ration cards in this hollowed out space in the stair railing below. Because of these ration cards, the ten Booms were taken to German death camps where her sister and father died, and another brother became terminally ill. All in all, four members of their family gave their lives to save others. Corrie survived by a shear miracle, literally.

The ten Booms were watchmakers. When this advertisement for a watch brand was turned around, it was an "all clear" sign to those seeking help. The Gestapo figured this out during their raid and used it as a decoy after the raid to lure in more than 30 others.

 This tiny hallway-like room served as bedroom for the women refugees.

Lamar, Melanie and Dixie standing in the "large" room at the end of the hallway. 

This was the men's dorm. Notice how small it is.

 Melanie walking down hallway on opposite side of girls dorm.

Uh, oh! It's a Catanstrophy!

Lander beats Mom at a game of Settlers of Catan.