We were prepared for St. Martin tonight! Kids go knocking on doors with hand-made lanterns singing little songs and are given sweets. Raymond was home to keep opening the front door as I was still at work. His reward are the leftovers!

The season of lights has officially begun in our garden! We installed our festive lighting to brighten the dark evenings and upcoming winter.

Near the historic Schermer windmills in the Dutch countryside this morning.

Early morning walk in the Dutch countryside. Near the historic Schermer windmills.

Raymond made this planing horse last week and it's handy for making wood shavings to start our fireplace.

At the Proeftuin farm this morning to get fresh produce and rescue dog Noodle was happy because her favourite helper, Julia, was there!

Kinkerstraat and the Ten Katemarkt today. Amsterdam.

The exact thing I went to buy was on special today! What a win! A world of Terry’s chocolate oranges! For those who don’t know what a Terry’s chocolate orange is, get acquainted and thank me later!

Raymond and I took a rare trip to the cinema today and saw ‘The Golden Spurtle’! A documentary set in a small village of the Scottish highlands featuring the world championship of porridge making. 5 stars!

Good morning from Amsterdam Centraal. On my way to work.

Amsterdam is 750 years old this past week, and Raymond bought me this limited edition vinyl, of which only 750 have been made! We picked it up at Concerto today. Lots of my favourite songs from the Jordaan district and some new ones I've not heard before.

Scenes from the Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam today while I was waiting for Raymond inside the music store. Two women were being helped by a store owner to put two crates of champagne into the saddle bags of their bike.

Utrechtsestraat, Amsterdam. We took a stroll to Concerto to pick up some vinyl.

Spotted in the wild around Amsterdam today.

Visited The London Police SUYE Gallery in Amsterdam today, but the artwork I wanted was sold so we looked around a bit and were shown some of the other work.

Amsterdam through the tram window. On my way home from work tonight.

Sunday afternoon in the Jordaan district. Amsterdam.

Autumn in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam street art.

Raymond and me out for lunch with friends today in the Jordaan. Amsterdam.

This is how rescue dog Noodle spends most of her Sunday when the weather is cold 😄

One of Raymond's artworks! It's a print he made from a cuttlefish bone found on a beach.

My bee and butterfly cross stitch works have been framed and Raymond has hung them up for me!

Early morning Amsterdam from the tram window. Leaving Centraal Station, on my way to work.

Sunday afternoon in the garden and rescue dog Noodle managed to get off the sofa for some fresh air.

Monks cap flowers are still bringing some colour to our garden. Everything is in autumn mode and very slowly getting ready for the winter months ahead, but the monks cap bloomed very late this year. #GardeningFeed

Sunday morning walk in the park.

Was given this gorgeous bouquet of summer flowers by Alliah today, and they have found a perfect place on my old Singer sewing machine in the living room.

Went to this lovely book store on our way home. Amsterdam.

Today in the Jordaan. Amsterdam.

We had lunch with Alliah today, our London lawyer! She is in town for the Amsterdam marathon and we strolled, we ate udon noodles, hung out a bit, and tried the cheesecake at the Cheesecake Project. Fabulous day with this amazing young person. She is as intelligent as she is gorgeous. 5 stars!

Today was the day! This morning the stones I've been painting went out into the world! Raymond and I took them down the street to where our community of people who are refugees live in container homes, and I randomly placed them for kids to find! 1 of 3.

Raymond demonstrating why women live longer than men while hanging some art on our wall today. The larger carving was bought here locally. The traditional African couple Raymond brought back with him from Zimbabwe.

We bought fresh 'blitva' (chard) at the farm this morning and I turned it into a sort of burek pita for lunch.

Meanwhile in our craft room, Raymond is painting my bedroom vanity table white for me! It just needs another coat or two.

Apple pie date at one of our favourite places: Windmill De Breek. Rescue dog Noodle loves it too because she is allowed inside at the café.

On my way to work.

Slightly foggy Amsterdam this morning. On my way to the office.

My painted rocks are done! Last layer of sealer was applied today and now they have to dry for three more days before they go out into the neighbourhood.

Traditional Dutch apple pie baked by Raymond yesterday.

Continuing our series of my favourite work colleagues: this is James! He is an Australian Cobberdog and loves to take walks throughout the office. Pro-active and people-friendly. A great hire!

The garden is slowly winding down and in full autumn-mode, but there are still blooms to be found. This monkshood (Aconitum) has just begun to flower. #GardeningFeed

Yesterday evening for dinner, Raymond fired up the pizza oven!

Yesterday's favourite colleagues at the office: little Bram and baby Toby who is only 12 weeks old! Both would like to speak with the manager, there are not enough doggie snacks in the kitchen.

Amsterdam from the tram window on my way home from work. If you look closely you can even see a tandem bicycle there somewhere.

Amsterdam from the tram window. On my way home. Passing the Stedelijk Museum.

Leaving Amsterdam Centraal on the tram to work. The sun is just about to come up, streets are being cleaned and the city is waking up.

Amsterdam Centraal train station. Waiting for my tram this morning.

Main hall at Amsterdam Centraal train station this morning.

The saffron crocus has started to bloom and saffron harvest has officially begun in our garden! It's five weeks earlier than last year and somewhat uneven as some of the plants are less developed but a few have started to bloom already. #GardeningFeed