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Author Archives: mybeautfulthings

About mybeautfulthings

Finding the beautiful in the everyday - I write about three things each day which please me in some way - people, food, art, nature, words, music and anything that makes me smile and which I hope will make you smile too.

Soup, Stamppot and A Talk

18 May

We had some delicious courgette soup in the sunshine before going into the very interesting H’Art Museum in Amsterdam.

That evening, wanting to eat Dutch food, I had Boerenkool Stamppot and being a big fan of mash and gravy, absolutely loved this meal.

Tonight we have been to the Hall for Cornwall for a talk I really wasn’t interested in, A Gun Through Time by the historian David Olusoga. However, the subject was made quite fascinating by him concentrating on the social history rather than the military history of guns.

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Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 18, 2026 in Amsterdam, Food, Hall for Cornwall, History, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel

Tags: David Olusoga, Kop van Jut

Books, Bikes and Cakes

17 May

On one of our walks around Amsterdam we came across an alley lined with arches and in each a book store. They were so tall, a very long ladder was needed to reach the higher shelves.

As you will probably know, bikes are an important mode of transport in Amsterdam. Pedestrians really need to keep themselves very aware of the silent speeding velocipedes, bells being very few and far between! It was lovely to see whole families riding, the baby in a baby cart, the toddler on a frame in the front and children of all ages cycling along. There were also flower decorated bikes.

Parking for many bikes

WEdding bike

I really wanted to try Dutch Apple Cake and succeeded – one more a pie and one with a crumble topping – both absolutely delicious. We also shared a scrumptious tiramisu after an excellent Italian meal in Antonio’s.

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Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 17, 2026 in Amsterdam, architecture, Eating out, environment, Food, friendship, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel

Tags: www.AntoniosRestaurant.nl

Oude Kerk in Amsterdam and An Iris

16 May

On our first day we had a canal cruise which gave us a good idea of the architecture of Amsterdam and a bit of a feel for the layout of the city and later we visited the old church, Oude Kerk which dates back to 1306, with its countless tombstones set in the floor, its wonderful windows, a beautiful organ and some delightful carvings in the 15th century choir stalls. Enjoy the gallery and click on a photo for the explanatory caption.

The city’s oldest bell 1450

Spiral staircase

The light catching the golden rods

Beautiful stained glass window

Some of the numbered flat tombstones with a rainbow

Door on leather hinges to a side room

The side room with beautiful painted wall paper

Vater-Müller organ 1726-1742

Found in the cobbles outside the church and described in the guide book as ” a golden torso of a naked woman held by a padlocked hand.” The church is on the very edge of the red light district……

A new iris has appeared in the garden. We didn’t plant it but love its delicate colouring.

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Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 16, 2026 in architecture, art, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel, Uncategorized, wood carving

Canals in Amsterdam

15 May

One of many bridges

An artist at work

Bikes everywhere

Kayakers

Decorated boat

Along our canal walk, taken from a bridge

First night in Amsterdam

Click on any photo to see the bigger version.

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Posted by mybeautfulthings on May 15, 2026 in architecture, environment, nature, Netherlands, Postaday 2026, travel

Two Stations, Saying Goodbye and Garden

14 May

I hope the Flowers in May, posted for your delectation, have pleased you. I scheduled them all, taken just before we went away for a long needed break – a train journey to Amsterdam with friends. Over the next week or two I’ll share photos from then.

St Pancras station where we caught the Eurostar

Amsterdam Centraal

While we were away on our long planned train trip to Amsterdam, the funeral of our Dear friend and breakfast companion, J, took place. As we very sadly couldn’t be there to say goodbye and to sing for him with my choir, my lovely choir leader offered to take something precious of mine so that a part of me would be there.
I chose a small ribbon in purple, white and green that Daughter no 3 gave me some time ago. J appreciated my suffragette history and so it seemed an appropriate token to represent me last week.