When Christian was home, and it feels too long ago already, he wanted only three things:
- Be home
- Time with Dad
- Vlaai
Part of being home is me, the siblings, the home cooking, the noise & smells of home. Dad time is important, especially when Dad is a soldier (I’ve been schooled, Marine’s & soldiers are NOT the same thing!). Vlaai. Vlaai was all me. I would move mountains to get my beautiful boy some vlaai.
But. Vlaai is almost 4 hours away, on a good day without traffic. So I begged & pleaded in my little friend circle… who was up for a day trip to Holland? To Maastricht? To the best bakery on the planet: Bie d’r Bekker.
Quick disclaimer, this is my family. And their recipe for kruimel vlaai originated from my Opa. I’m beyond proud of them. I’m beyond proud of their bakery. If you are ever near Maastricht, please go visit them! If my words don’t compel you, let my actions. I drove up & down in one day just to get vlaai for my Marine.
I had two amazing friends join me for my journey that day. My only compromise was a quick side-trip into Maastricht for a whirlwind sight-seeing tour. I was okay with that! I love Maastricht too. Despite being away from my beautiful boy for an entire day during his waaaaaaaaay too short post-deployment visit, I had a wonderful day. A day I really needed. And I got what Christian really needed: his favorite treat on the planet rijstevlaai (rice pudding pie):
Christian & his rijstevlaai. It makes it all worth it.
De Basiliek van Sint Servaas
Signs help me not get too lost. I still get lost. But they help!
My beautiful partners in crime: Charlsie & Randi
A perfect Dutch bike
The Dutch can spend hours just sitting outside, babbling, drinking, enjoying each others company. It is one of my favorite parts of being Dutch.
The Visitor center in Maastricht.
Just because I love these windows.
Maastricht is beautiful in rain, sun, snow, twilight or at night. Go visit.
It was almost Easter. Of course there must be Heineken bunnies!
Whether it’s cold, rainy or snowy… the Dutch will bike everywhere.
Sint Janskerk, after John the Baptist, is a protestant church immediately next to the Basilica of Saint Servatius
I love doors.
Walking onto “Het Vrijthof” a beautiful square in the center of old town Maastricht, paved with old cobblestones, old trees and surrounded by restaurants and bars. This is the place to be, especially on a summers evening.
I love these old arches, bridges, architecture everywhere in Europe.
Toiny, your photos are amazing! I continue to experience Europe, etc. through you as I probably will never get there. It’s amazing what we’ll do for our children.
Sometimes we eat rice&beans for every other meal just so we can travel more. I am such a travel bug! You can do it! Europe is amazing. I continue to be in love.
Daar heb ik nog gelopen afgelopen zomer. En volgensmij hebben we op dat terrasje gezeten. René en Rick hebben de toren van de Sint Janskerk beklommen, ik heb beneden gewacht, vlak bij het beeld van Van Veldeken, de eerste schrijver (volkstalig) van Nederland. Leuk om deze foto’s te zien, en die van Christian is ook geweldig!
Ik heb die toren ook een keer geklommen… met de kinderen. Mijn vader bleef lekker beneden. OMG! Wat een enge trap!
Toiny,
I too I love these old arches, bridges, & doors, architecture everywhere in Europe. I’ve been to Europe, so I count my blessings for the opportunities I’ve had to personally observe these things. I love it when you share these many wonderful pictures, as it reminds me of my experiences. I’m so happy for these many great experiences in the beginning years of my marriage, however with all that is happening in this world, we’ve decided no longer to travel outside the states: So, I really appreciate you sharing your pictures with us & your family experiences. My husband & I’s Opa is no longer living, & I’d love to stop by your familys Bakery, (my husband had a bakery some years ago). I’d love the recipe for the Rice Pudding Pie, as I love Rice Pudding. I’m blessed to enjoy your pictures of Europe, keep them coming: I can never get enough of these wonderful pictures!!
🙂
Cyndi
A.K.A.: Digi-Scrap
Thank you Cyndi! I will ask if I can share “our” recipe, but this one is pretty close and already in English:
http://www.thedutchtable.com/2010/01/rijstevlaai-rice-pie.html
I really need to visit it too. I was there a few years ago, but I spent most of the time in Valkenburg, which is nice, but it’s too touristic. Love shopping in Maastricht. My favorite vlaai is the good ols simple kersenvlaai with a dot of whipped cream, rijstevlaai is great too.
Actually, Bie d’r Bekker is right outside of Valkenburg in Schin op Geul. Maybe we can meet for Vlaai there???
Isn’t it great that we get that feeling of the comforts of home through a favorite food that just reminds us so strongly of our heritage or just of home cooking. So glad you were able to fulfill Christian’s wish for this special food!
Enjoyed reading this and seeing all of your beautiful pictures so very much. God bless you for being such a great and loving mother.
Beautiful photos and they make me want to visit, maybe one day?
[…] mom listed all the foods she had bought to stock the rental house: vlaai’s (Vlaai Pie; Hans; One Day Turnaround), breads, meats, cheeses, chips. How could they be out of food? But they were. The texts got more […]