Pimp your Clog

I have just spent a whirlwind week with family in Holland.  My dads side, my moms side, and friends!  My head, my camera, everything is overflowing with memories.  I am having a hard time finding a starting place this morning. I finally decided on our adventures in pimping our klompen (or clogs). Because. Fun! And… my dad did it!

That’s the very best part, my parents are here!  They arrived in Brussels last week (at Zaventem, still recovering from the terrible attack on March 22, 2016), and will be here through Cole’s graduation in June. We met up with them in the south of Holland, in Limburg, my fathers birthplace.  We shared a fantastic little rental home in Wijlre, part of De Schapenweide vacation homes. Saturday we got there just in time to change into our fancy clothes and head out to a big family celebration… my aunt & uncle’s 50th Anniversary! I’m saving that babble for another day because I’m still giggling about all the fun we had on Monday.

Dane’s birthday was Sunday, oh my I have to skip that babble too. More family! More fun! Sheep! Goats! Watermills! Laser tag in a cave! It must wait.  I have to share the fun we had on Monday.  Dane got to pick an activity from an overflowing smorgasbord of activities. Because. Birthday! The only caveat, it had to be doable for Opa, Oma, mom & Dane. Really, it was  a no-brainer.  The second we read that Pimping your Clogs was an option, we were out the door.

The Pimp your Clogs entire website is not in English. If you are going, let me know & I can translate, if you are anywhere nearby… Go!  This place is fantabulous. Old world meets new world in one of the most beautiful spots in Holland.  There are 6,000,0000 + 1 things to do! You can find them on Facebook: Paradijsvogels FB; and their website: Paradijsvogels web (English).  Be sure to check out all activities (Dutch). I am very sad I didn’t get to herd sheep or play golf with clogs-on-sticks.

We drove through the stunning southern hills of Holland (Limburg, not Holland, but The Netherlands is just too formal for me).  That alone was enough to make me happy.  My dad happily pulled over the car, many times, so I could take random photo’s of beautiful things. I love my dad!  We found the old farm stead fairly easily, only taking two unexpected detours, and then parked in a field overlooking Belgium.

I could have spent hours touring the old farm, fields, and hills.  Dane, on the other hand, was bouncing with excitement and we headed straight to the activity center. We walked into a beautiful old building, the floor ankle deep in soft, fine sand. I felt transported to another era.  The bar, the cabinets, all from a previous century. A previous life.

Paul (Franssen), the owner, met us with a hearty handshake and a warm, welcoming personality. He easily switched from Dutch to English, and back again, depending on us.  Sometimes we speak Dutch. Sometimes English. Sometimes both at once. He didn’t blink an eye and kept up with us all while explaining how to Pimp your Clog.  LOL! I’m still giggling.

We spent the next hour talking, giggling, drinking fresh hot coffee and nibbling on cookies… all while pimping our clogs.  Even my dad, the technical, non-artistic, IT guy, giggled & painted.  It was the best hour out of an entire week of best hours.

The clogs, pre-pimping.

Much to my delight… my dad pimping his clogs!

Much to her own delight… my mom pimping her clogs!

The Birthday Boy…. pimping his clogs!

Wishing for a cold winter day so I could sit at that fireplace, toes in the sand, hot drink in my hands.

Please note the clogs-on-sticks behind my family…. Dutch golf!

Sheep! Just outside. I am inspired.

TaDA! My pimped out clogs!

Now I’m wishing for a beautiful, warm, sunny day & wine. I just want to sit & do nothing.

The Clog Pimping Crew

The pimped out clogs (mine are best!)!

The old farm, slowly being restored.

Love, love, LOVE all the birdhouses!

Leaving. But it is sooooooooooo beautiful.

Just stunning.

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