{We Stayed for 4 Nights in Manhattan, our Trip to NYC}

Sorry for having been a bit absent lately but soon I will visit you again!

We did indeed make our first 'real' trip to New York City and spent 4 nights at the Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South which is right in Manhattan.

Manhattan was taken on September 8th, 1664.

Just click the above link...

For us, being from The Netherlands, it had even more historical meaning to us as the Dutch were the first that colonized the USA!

It was called New Netherland with New Amsterdam as their natural harbor, which now is called New York City.

No, New Amsterdam was NOT the capital, neither is New York City.

The capital of the State of New York is Albany.

Yes, in 1609 the story began... and it ended on September 8th, 1664 when Manhattan was taken by the British.

We were on the 18th floor, out of 26... In Manhattan almost all buildings are high rise!

On August 29, it was 32 years ago since we left The Netherlands; on my youngest brother's birthday...

As this is my very first post written from my new Mac, I just wanted to air this in time for its historic birthday on September 8th.

Related link:

{Dutch - American Heritage Day: November 16 since 1991} | previous post by me

11 Bird's-Eye Views That Show How NYC Has Grown Over 350 Years - Very Informative photos!

{My Crocheted Potholders with Rose}

Just would like to show you, my previous crocheted, potholders with ROSE.

We have been lucky for having been taught knitting and crocheting at elementary school, back in The Netherlands!

Done in white with green, red and yellow edging in a crab stitch (kreeftensteek in Dutch)

These are not new but have known many years of duty!

Have you crocheted some potholders as well?

Video showing How to do a Crab Stitch - Crochet for Beginners

{Brown Rice Syrup Glycemic Index 25}

For quite a while now I am also using Brown Rice Syrup with a Glycemic Index of 25, compared to refined sugar that has a GI of 80. That does make quite a difference for the body.

This is my go to ingredient whenever I make ORANGE MASHED SWEET POTATOES
click the link above for recipe!

We can buy it at Whole Foods Market but I never buy the organic, which is also one dollar more expensive.

Since it is rather sticky, I pour it directly from this jar instead of using also a measuring cup; just by eye...

Brown Rice Syrup
Above you even find more uses for this very healthy sweetener.

You just have to learn how to substitute it and you're fine.

Have you been cooking with Brown Rice Syrup?

Related link:
{Coconut Palm Sugar with Glycemic Index 35} | previous post by me
{10 Best Foods for Diabetes and Blood Sugar} | previous post by me

{Diabetes Type 2, & Iranian Medicine about Sesame Seed Paste or Tahini} | previous post by me

{Belgian Endive Salad with Chia Seeds} | previous post by me

{CHIA for Iron Boost and Good for Blood Sugar Level} | previous post by me
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL}  | previous post by me
Sugar: The Bitter Truth | A very informative video with LOTS of information

{Is BLOGLOVIN' Stealing Your Page Views}

Maybe you did not know about BLOGLOVIN' Stealing YOUR Page Views...?

But YES, they do!

When you do read blogs through the Bloglovin' RSS feed reader, you will notice that they do not collect each post but instead are directing you to the blog post in an iFrame for driving more traffic to their own website.

The page view does not register in Google Analytics, nor in the Blogger Statistics Tab!

This way we won't get credit for people reading our blogs...

BUT - CHANGE your settings!

Go to bloglovin.com/settings and click to the right of your profile photo

From the drop down window, select Settings

Scroll down to:

Make sure that you mark I don't want the frame instead of the choice above!

Click Save settings

You're all done!

You may want to share this with your readers as well, we all can help each other, instead of continuing with driving traffic to Bloglovin'!

Thank you for your time.

As of November 8, 2022 I have Removed the widget and also removed my account from Bloglovin' which resulted in immediately much higher page views!

Their widget did no longer work and I had lots of login problems.

{Edward Bok Quote}

Last year on May 6, while visiting the Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida, we did buy some nice things at the gift shop.

Make you the world 

A bit better

Or more beautiful

Because you have 

lived in it.

Edward W. Bok

Related link:

{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me with more information about Edward Bok

{KLM Delft Blue House 95}

When my dear friend Mariëlle, did come to visit us in early May, she also gifted us with the latest of Delftware houses by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. So now we have the series complete with this number 95!

{Royal Dutch Airlines 91 years on October 7}

HEINEKEN'S BIERBROUWERIJ

This number 95, is the Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam and that did celebrate its 150th anniversary last year.
It proudly resides on the narrow ledge of our veranda windows.

On October 7, is the 96th Birthday of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the next house will be presented to the public...


Very interesting short video about several Canal Houses and the Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

At KLM-HUISJES.NL you can purchase the entire collection.
We both were lucky that we got lots of upgrades to KLM's World Business Class, while being International Consultants.

Related link:
{Angel Candle Snuffer Gift} | previous post by me
{Royal Dutch Airlines 91 years on October 7} | previous post by me explaining about our many flights as international consultants.
{KLM Royal Dutch Airlines miniature blue Delftware houses 1 to 90} | previous post by me

{Quinoa Tabbouleh}

Quinoa, being a very healthy SUPERFOOD, makes us look for new recipes.
In the Canadian Living I did find one!

A delicious, quick and easy to make Quinoa Tabbouleh
Just click above link for the recipe.

When ingredients have been able to fully blend, taste is best.
Hope you liked it!

Related links:
{Tuscan Red Quinoa Salad - Whole Foods Sarasota FL} | previous post by me
{Shaved Brussels Sprouts &Tofu With Tri Color Quinoa}  | previous post by me

{Pure Coconut Oil a Superfood and Recipes}

Maybe several of you already have added Pure Coconut Oil, a Superfood, to your daily diet.

If not so, maybe this will help in explaining its many benefits for our health and I also provide some RECIPES towards the end.

We find ours at +Costco WholesaleCo and always stock up on it.

Important is to buy the PURE Coconut Oil

Nutrition Facts

Important is that the Pure Coconut Oil has *No Trans & Hydrogenated Fats

Many health benefits...

Towards the end in the video you can read the above:

COCONUT OIL MAY ALSO HELP

> PARKINSON'S DISEASE

> ALS

> EPILEPSY

> DEMENTIA

> SCHIZOPHRENIA

> AUTISM

COCONUT OIL 

> NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC

My personal introduction came through a dear friend from the Philippines. She gifted me some Virgin Coconut Oil that she'd brought back from a trip to her birth country. That made me purchase the book: Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut  As promised some recipes: Coconut Oil- Belly Flattening Muffins and more, please do visit my Pinterest board: COCONUT OIL A SUPERFOOD Hope this did inspire you!

{Heavenly Jardins de Bagatelle Rose}

Even though the HOT summer heat here in Georgia/USA is not very suitable for roses or any flowers for that matter, we did yield some Heavenly Jardins de Bagatelle Roses from the new supply via Roses Unlimited, planted on May 2nd of this year.

Tender leaves have been burned from the hot July 8 sun...

But still, this heavenly perfumed rose is such a joy to have!

We also harvested two perfect Jasminum Sambac - Jasmine Grand Duke of Tuscany buds.

The first, and larger flower on May 5, when it was not yet that hot...

A Baccarat perfume bottle is perfect as a vase.

Such soft pink touches...

Wish we could have them more often in bloom but it is really hard here in the Southeast.

These Jasmines were perfect!

Hope you enjoyed our treasures...

Related link:
{Jasminum Sambac - Jasmine Grand Duke of Tuscany} | previous post, showing you the jasmine

{Cat Dining Room}

Our six felines are very mannered when it comes to breakfast and dinner in their Cat Dining Room.

From left to right: Spooky, Bandido, Spunky, Tiggy-Tiger (all are siblings), Barty and Speckie

This is the actual 2nd photo!

It is such a happy time in the Cat Dining Room and then out on the driveway for grooming!

Lying on the concrete with a happy tummy is pure bliss.

Related link:
{You like to meet our 3 Feline Boys?} | previous post by me showing you also 6 diners...

{204 Countries Visited - Welcome Dominica}

Already on July 21, the 204th Country Visited my humble blog - Welcome Dominica!

Dominica is a tiny island in the Caribbean.

{Royal Ontario Museum}

Dear Friend Celia had arranged a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum for us on Monday, June 8.

It could not have been better arranged as it was a rainy day.

Talking about a very modern concept for architecture, the ROM is an example.
The modern 'crystal' addition, designed by Polish born and US raised architect Daniel Libeskind, has been merged with the existing, turn of the previous Century Royal Ontario Museum.
You can read more here: Our History | Royal Ontario Museum
And about the design here: Michael Lee-Chin Crystal 

Just before we left to the ROM, this was the weather.

From our room at Hyatt Regency Toronto on King we could only see half of the CN Tower...

Showing the side and front of the original ROM.

Husband Pieter standing in front of the Rotunda...

The Rotunda with the four bands, symbolizing the four corners of the earth. It comes together with the eternal knot and it says: 'THAT - ALL MEN - MAY KNOW - HIS WORK'

Incredible Mosaic!

Blogger friend Celia M. High Heeled Life & Resilientista arranged that her friend Janice did meet us inside the crystal entrance.

Around 13:45 it still was raining.

After enjoying the ROM for 3 hours and 45 minutes, we walked to the Park Hyatt Toronto just across the street for going to The Roof Lounge on the 20th floor, from where we also had a great view onto the building.
Another great tip from friend Celia!

Restoration work going on.

The ROM is quite a futuristic building in this Toronto city setting.
I will show you later something from the exhibitions.
Thanks for your visit!

Related links:
{Brunch in Toronto with Blogger Friends I Admire} | Previous post by me

{Ixora 2015}

On July 3, I made these photos from our blooming Ixora...

An ant is crawling on top of its sweet flowers, snacking on some nectar I guess.

And something even bigger - a caterpillar with long hair!

As long as they don't eat the entire plant, that is fine!

Related link:
 {Ixora} | previous post showing our 2014 plant