Klompen, Klompen, Klompen - the most useful shoes on the planet.

Klompen!!! ( wooden shoes - the singular form of the word is "klomp") We know that you've wondered when we would talk about these perfect shoes.

The real Dutch klompen are handmade of wood, carved to perfection, come in loads of sizes, lots of different colors and designs - for every occasion or style. Once you wear klompen for awhile, they fit like gloves, keep your feet dry and warm, and hardly ever wear out.

In the Netherlands (and Dutch homes throughout the world), if you're a good boy or girl, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas, the original Santa Claus) will leave snoep (candy) in your klompen! In early December, before going to bed, you leave a wortel (carrot) in your klomp for the Sint's horse - try it this year, you never know!

We think klompen are, in a word - fantastische (fantastic) - een veelzijdige schoen (a versatile shoe).

Check out these klompen/klomp we've seen here in Nederland (The Netherlands).

In a winkel (store) in Volendam.

A nagerecht (dessert) of ijs (ice cream) served in a klomp at a restaurant in Delft- it was Lekker! (delicious).

Even our American "mom" has klompen , although she bought them years ago in Disney World - hee hee. She likes to wear them in the sneeuw (snow).

Funny thing though, our Dutch "vader" ( father) doesn't even own klompen ... hmm, maybe we need to get him some for Kerst (Christmas). * two cats chuckling* (Dutch folks really don't wear klompen anymore - to be honest, it's pretty much an image that is a tourists' fantasy, but they do set them out for Sinterklaas - can't tempt fate!)

However, we're going to get some new "kat-sized" klompen soon, but Sacha can't decide if the wants plain ones or pink sparkly ones. * cat rolling eyes*. What kleur (color) klompen do you think Sacha should get?

Tot ziens!
Finn & Sacha

Holland, klompen, Dutch

Orange fever ... color complements everywhere in The Netherlands

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We thought we'd show you what goes on in The Netherlands when the Dutch national voetbal (football/soccer) team makes it to the World Cup football/soccer games ( hopefully, every 4 years ) . You just have to like the color orange and complementary color schemes - blauw en oranje ( blue and orange).
Edited! - The spelling for blue was wrong! FOUT (mistake/fault)!!
In Nederlands, it is blauw not blau (as we had it before ). "Blau" is the German spelling. * cats rolling eyes* We won't trust our "mom" again for the correct Nederlands spelling, because, (in our opinions), she looks at Faber-Castell colored pencils too much! *cats giggling*

Have a look ... blue skies with orange things everywhere.

Nothing says "team spirit" like a big can of oranje verf (orange paint). A café in our neighborhood (buurt) .


A row of houses with little oranje (orange) flags all over the place.


Unfortunately, Holland only made it to the semi 1/4 finals ( don't ask, we don't understand) . The Netherlands was "knocked out" by Portugal.
Jammer! (bummer/ a shame)

We were having fun trying to pull some flags down the other day... no one saw us! heh heh. We'll just have to hope that Holland is in the World Cup games in 4 years time ... more flags, more fun!

Tot volgende keer! ('til next time)

Finn & Sacha

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