A Dutch Christmas - The "Kerstshow^"

On Saturday, rather than rushing into town to get a package in the mail by Noon, I opted for the laid back version of the afternoon on-the-go. We started by exploring the nearby village of Heinkenszand - infant in the Baby Bjorn, dog on the leash, toddler in hand - in search of the annual "Winterfair". It was just me, the boys, and our trusty canine companion, but after wandering around a bit on foot, I discovered that the winterfair was just outside of the village, well beyond where we had parked.

A short car ride later, we arrived at the "fair" -- an indoor, nursery-sponsored "Weihnachtsmarkt" of sorts -- which we quickly walked through, pausing for a freshly fried "Olieboll". These raisin-filled fried dough balls are dusted in powdered sugar and served hot... the perfect answer to frost-bitten fingers.

Once we refueled, it was time to head towards Goes for some errands. And then I saw it. Picture perfect, the lake, along with its charming, sun-drenched, traditional farm house, stood seductively juxtaposed against a forboding sky. I did the unthinkable (had my husband been in the car)... I turned the car around, stopped, and got out for a Kodak moment.

I resumed my journey, but it wasn't long before my foot once again met the break. This time, it was the hand-painted sign for the "Kerstshow" at a charming roadside nursery. Apparently, Christmas is the time of year that these nurseries really shine. Classical music, candlelight, and color-coordinated rooms filled with holiday decorations provided inspiration for every home, and consultants-of-sorts walked around, offering up drinks and hors d'oeuvres. It was holiday bliss, and I had achieved it only by refusing to go anywhere in a hurry, and being utterly spontaneous.

The rest of the afternoon unfolded in a similar manner. We ran a couple errands in Goes (but found nothing that we had hoped for), had a hot chocolate at V&Ds new café, and headed over to "Happy Wok", a restaurant that we had had heard good things about. Again, not wanting to rush to dinner, I first took Lukas into the nearby go-cart hall, which he got a huge kick out of.

Is there anything better than a perfectly slow-paced, unplanned day? I, for one, loved every minute of it.