Spending My Days: Tulips in Holland

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take a day trip to Keukenhof, Holland with some girl friends. On the way, we stopped at the Clara Marie Farm, just outside of Amsterdam & got to watch a clog demonstration as well as a cheese making demonstration (same farm mentioned in my Amsterdam Post). The farm was just as charming as the last time I visited. The Dutch farmer and his Texan wife were extremely gracious hosts & provided us with a delicious Dutch Breakfast, complete with SEVERAL tasty cheeses to sample. My favorite - garlic & herb. Yum.

Although the clogs were originally made by hand, the farm has long since adapted the use of the machines pictured here. However, I found it interesting that the machines still only carve one pair of shoes at a time and still require the farmer's trained eye and guiding hand.

Part of the cheese making process.

Moo.

After taking quite some time to choose which cheese I wanted to purchase - I don't do well with that many choices, we headed towards the main attraction - The Keukenhof Gardens.

The wonderful ladies who let me tag along on this fun excursion.

Thanks for introducing us Michelle ;) We miss you!

Not gonna lie ya'll, I was a little bummed that more of this field wasn't in bloom. Honestly, I blame Pinterest for my high expectations. Don't get me wrong, the park was still beautiful & well worth the trip. I guess I just expected to see more tulips in bloom in this particular field behind the windmill. This picture was taken from on top of the windmill. I've since learned that we were perhaps a few weeks early & had we made our trip later in April, we may have had a better shot at the picture I had created for myself in my heard.

Probably my favorite tulips I saw the entire day.

Thanks random tourist who didn't run away with my camera.

Something else I learned was that each year the Tulip Festival has a different theme. This year's theme was Van Gogh, in honor of the 125th anniversary of his death. In addition to some displays through the garden like the one pictured directly below, there was also a HUG exhibit in one of the park's pavilions that was absolutely incredible.