Happy New Year!
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I'm feeling very grateful to be writing to you at the end of spending two weeks with my kids (and our partners) in the San Francisco area...just like we've done for the last five years. It has become an annual tradition that we all look forward to throughout the year.
In trying to figure out the best way to communicate with so many I care about, I always come back to the blog format....I really like that you can check in when it works for you and it becomes a written record of our life, as we go.
This last year has been another full one. Maybe I'll go month by month.
We started January with a few days in Santa Cruz. Being out in the sunshine to start the year, always feels like a guilty pleasure.
And gray days, like this one where a big repair project began: the once in a century removal of the blades to be replaced by new ones.
But inside, the Mill is always cozy, no matter what the weather.
In February, the work on the Mill continued.
It looks so naked! And the new blades will take months to make.
They are due to be installed in March of this year,
which will be a big event for the Ambachstmolen.
I returned to the US for another visit, to celebrate Isabel's 21st (!) Birthday.
While I was at it, I made a quick trip to Seattle
where there is never enough time to see all the people I'd like to see!
And, as usual, I fly in and out of San Francisco.
where our flights are practically free due to Han's KLM perks.
The boy's apartment in the Lower Haight area.
The tower where both Zack & Aidan work!
March was a nice, quiet time back in Oudorp.
We bought a little "Pippo Wagon" to use for an extra bed and an office, when needed.
Visiting with my dear friend, Joan, several times a week when possible,
was a regular and cherished part of my year!
Alkmaar's Grote Kerk's beautiful new glass window.
April our busy season begins...the Airbnb's fully booked,
boat rides into Alkmaar to see the cheese market,
bikes out for riding and flowers beginning to bloom.
The view from the Liefke, a tour boat passing by.
Our guests leave such heartwarming notes (and amazing art!). in our guest books.
May brought more flowers, new chicken, and baby geese.
I took the train to London through the Channel Tunnel (the “Chunnel”)
to spend time with good friends, Kata and Tom, visiting from Seattle.
A four hour trip, door to door!
On the way home from London, I spent a few nights in Bruges, Belgium. Such a beautiful, historic city...with delicious Belgium chocolate wherever you go!
At the end of May, Han & I took the train to the Cologne, Germany area. Three of our Airbnb "guests" who have turned into friends live in this area and it was fun to take time to see where they live.
Our first stop was to the small village of Limberg aan der Lahn.
It was the Germany of my imagination!
Visiting with our friend, Daniel, Desi, & Jakob who live here.
Our next stop was in Cologne, the home of 4711, my dad's favorite cologne! ;)
Annette gave us a great tour.
Our last stop was to the suburb of Solingen to visit Petra & Greta.
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In memory of our sweet, Greta.
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And at the very end of the month, Han captained his boat for Alkmaar's Pride Parade for the 4th year in a row. It's such a festive, heartwarming event!
In June, my beloved friend, Joan, died.
She was herself to the very end, but her body had had it.
Tom held a beautiful three day long celebration of her life at their mill
with friends and family coming to honor her from all over the world.
It was the perfect send off for such an extraordinary person.
Joan Harmsen, April 13, 1962-June 11, 2025
I'm so glad we had these buttons made up for her birthday this year.
I wanted her to know we will ALWAYS carry her with us.
I think of this question (and her answers) every single day.
What Would Joan Say?
Just a couple weeks later, the "kids" arrived for their annual summer visit.
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In Amsersfoort
The summer flew by quickly, July & August went by in a flash.
Finn is an expert swimmer (photo by Zack)
Typical Dutch
Han heading out on a special barge ride
Chef & Jasper stopping by
Han & Noah (a special repeat guest) working on their pirate ship.
September brought calmer days and we hosted a wedding at the end of the month.
Thankfully, the weather cooperated!
I love this giant tree in the nearby church yard.
10 euros for all of these dahlias!
Tom & Han took turns helping each other on Mondays.
The sun came out right as the bride began to walk from the Mill.
They grew up in the neighborhood so this was a very special spot for them to marry.
It's really nice to look forward to this during our busy summer season.
We spent10 nights on the island of Naxos.
This area is really crowded in the summer so we were lucky to come at the end of the season.
Then we took the 45 minute ferry ride to the island of Paros for our last 5 nights.
What a beautiful experience!
In November, our friend Phyllis arrived from Seattle.
She was my mom's college roommate is has been a real world traveler.
She stayed with us for a few nights before heading to Florence for a month.
I jumped at the chance to join her on the train ride down.
We took the night train from Amsterdam to Zurich.
And then a short train ride to Lucerne where we visited with my friend Karen
for a few nights before heading down to Florence.
I spent five days in Florence where Phyllis got settled in for the month.
I then headed on my own to Verona for a couple weeks
(the setting for Romeo & Juliet)
They are famous for their balconies here.
Also famous for their 2000 year old coliseum which is still used for concerts till this day!
I then headed to Venice for the final week of my personal retreat.
For more photos, click here.
We enjoyed the December festivities back home before heading back to the US for Christmas.
And now here we are full circle.
What a year it has been!
It is so nice to end one year and begin another here with my kids.
Each one has had a special year of their own. I am so grateful that we enjoy each other's company so much and that they are so close with each other. This truly is the biggest gift.
Zack just turned 32(!) this week. He has been at the tower for 5 years now and is so good at what he does. I love being able to watch him work when I fly into town. His work keeps him really busy but when he has time off, he's always up for an adventure and bikes, runs, or jumps into Pacific Ocean on a regular basis. He has so many interests, I couldn't begin to name them. He is a true renaissance man!
Aidan (29) continues to work at the tower, as well. He checks the weather for the airport and really loves his job. This year he met Olivia, who has made him so happy. She just graduated from the University of San Franciso with a degree in Graphic Design.They are a great team and it has been really fun to have her join our family events.
Eli (25) is living in Seattle now with 5 roommates and is the number one ranked player in his e-sport for Washington State and even ranked in the top 50 world wide, which is a real feat. He is regularly sponsored to fly to tournaments around the country and is enjoying doing what he loves!
Isabel (21) graduates from San Diego State University this year with a psychology degree. She has gotten to know her professors and has done so well there! She has been a clinical intern at a therapeutic learning center and it has gone so well, they have offered her a job. Her goal is to get her masters degree and become a licensed therapist. She and Griffin are still going strong after 5 years together!
Of course, this only touches the tip of the iceberg....life is too full and complex to completely cover even in a long blog post. But, it's a snapshot of our year and it gives you an idea of what we've been up to. We hope all is well with each of you who have taken the time to read this and we wish you all the best in this coming New Year!
