COMING SOON...

Hello readers! I am thinking - since a while now - to give the blog a new image, as well as re-organize its content a little. This blog is on line since October 2011. I am proud to say it has grown in a way that never ends to surprise me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Many people ask me why do I have a blog. Alongside to the important facts that it helps me sharing ideas, showcasing my on going projects and work, interacting with very interesting people, the thing is that... it truly makes me happy!

All this to tell you that one day soon - hopefully before end February - you will see some changes when visiting my blog, but don't go away, it will still be me :-)
A question for all lovely people following its-nice-here regularly [but not just for them]: I'd like to hear from you which content do you enjoy the most and what you would be sad to miss or if perhaps there is something different you'd like to find in this blog.
I will appreciate your opinions/suggestions. You're welcome to write it in the comments below or write me by mail [see above contacts for the address], whichever you prefer.

See you soon with a new dress, then!

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SUN KISSED

We are blessed with sun this weekend, after many days of grey and rain in a row.
Perfect light for reading magazines on my fave chair near the window and for my flowers. 
The amaryllis are about to open. The lilies are recovering from an adventurous night, but this is another story and I will tell you about it next time.

Happy sunday everyone.

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A PORTRAIT A WEEK 4/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013

E trying to hide from my camera behind the rocking swing.

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TRAVELLING

"When going on a train, never forget to take a suitcase full of dreams"

 { Message to the travellers,  Jan van Nijlen, 1934 }

Today's post ends the series about our Dutch holiday. We went up north to visit family/friends and enjoy Dutch winter, as we often do in January. Both things accomplished, yay!
The above pictures come from the Train Museum in Utrecht, where we spent nearly a whole day. The happiest of us was -as one can imagine - our little Erik that enjoyed jumping on and off real trains, old steam trains and new ones.  I indulged in fantasies about the Orient Express and a time - in my imagination - in which travelling ment having lots of time to think, read, maybe write long travel diaries, meditating instead of rushing from A to B as fast as possible.
Now we are back home and my life is supposed to go back to normal routines smoothly and efficiently (hopefully). I will remember to pack my suitcases with dreams for the next trip.

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SWEET MEMORIES & RED THREADS

A visit to dear old friends in their new house. We did not see eachother since 2009. When I was living in The Netherlands, we saw each other daily, had lots of fun and shared many important moments, good and bad, I kind of never felt alone which is priceless when you move abroad and start all over again.

I miss that time and I miss very much the kind of friendship when you see each other daily, study together, shop together, cook and eat together, curl on the sofa in front of a good movie together, talk about everything and dream together but never get tired of it.
I was lucky to have that a few times in my life. I think I was spoiled, because it did not come back easily just with anyone. What about you?

Remember my post about the red string theory? I am happy to say some of my red strings did shorten again so that I could see my dear friends again.

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JANUARY FEELING {2}

More pictures of the walk I posted earlier. We saw a storm of geese flying low just above Erik that was resting on his slaigh, a family of young swans was resting near a bridge and lots of seagulls. Perfect wintery crispy cold day, when is great to wonder about in nature, look at birds flying, and then return home for a hot cup of tea(me), milk(Erik) or coffee(the rest of us). Precious breaks in between working sessions at my illustration project.

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A PORTRAIT A WEEK 3/52

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013

Little E day-dreaming with a huge train bisquit.

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JANUARY FEELING {1}

Same place, day after. Have a look at the previous post if you did not visit before, it is amazing how light can change a landscape. It snowed, all around is white, the sky turned into a light grey color. Another side of winter.

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A WINTER WALK

Hi everyone. As promised earlier I am going to share pictures of the week we are spending in the Netherlands. First walk we did was superb. As anticipated we did find cold and ice. Unfortunately the ice was not quite strong enough to skate on (thus improving my skating skills) also it did not reach the lovely lake near my in laws' house. In the little channels though it was solid enough for birds and beautiful static sky reflections.
I could not stop taking pictures.
Feeding birds was an amazing experience, they came towards us and stormed on top of our heads with no fear.
The light was splendid, I felt like walking inside an old dutch masters' painting.
Winter days and walks like these are one of the reasons why I love The Netherlands so much.

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INSIDE OUT

On the move again. We prepare for more snow and ice, and maybe more chances to learn ice-skating. Winter is good.

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INK [...MORE BLUE]

Work in progress. Deadlines are getting tighter so I'm closed in my studio working hard. A little panic kicks in but... oh boy, I love ink! How is your weekend going?

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