DUTCH MARKTPLAATS IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN---WONDERFUL DUTCH FOOD, HERITAGE KNITTING OR CROCHETING WITH BEADS, AND LOTS OF FUN

Today is the last day of the 2012 Tulip Festival in Holland, Mi.  There are so many things to do at the Festival even when the weather has made the tulips bloom early or late.  This year the tulips were just about gone by the day the festival was to start.

However, the people in Holland have a good sense of humor and offered buttons or T-shirts printed with "Stem Fest 2012."

Tulip stems for Stem Fest.

Even without tulips in bloom going to the Tulip Festival is so much fun.  This joyful woman is dressed in a traditional dress from the Isle of Maarken.

There is Dutch dancing all over the city during Festival.

Dutch music fills the streets and events during Festival.

VENDORS AT THE DUTCH MARKTPLAATS

Nancy VanDerPuy of www.nancyalison.com or nancyalison@charter.net makes the most beautiful knitted beaded purses which is an old Dutch craft.  Picture not taken by me:  Nancy sells kits for doing your own purses.

Nancy's purses were fantastic.

This is an old Dutch pattern.

The purse that Nancy was using.

There were books on patterns available as well as kits for making a purse done by Nancy for sale.

This is a Miser Purse.  Miser Purses date back to the 1800's according to Nancy.  They were carried over a belt as many Victorian clothes did not have pockets.

The top of this purse is interesting.  The little round top opens so you can put your hand into the purse.

The top open so your hand fits into the purse.

I like this pattern.

Mini-purses for American Dolls.

Bridal purses would make a great gift for a bride with Dutch heritage.

So beautiful.

Kathy, an artist, with a gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan paints wooden shoes and decorates them by wood burning designs in them.  Picture not taken by me:  Gentleman making wooden shoes with hand tools.  So much to see, I can't take it all in at once.

Small wooden shoes painted by Kathy.

Kathy paints many different styles.

A beautiful Christmas decoration.

A fun flip-flop or a shoe with the toe poking out.

Tulips for the Tulip Festival.

Homemade Stoopwafels were available from www.ilovestrootwafels.com  The information given out at the table says that Stroopwafels originate in Gouda, a city in the Netherlands as well as a cheese, in 1784.  For my recipe for Stroopwafels go to:

 http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/12/dutch-stroopwafels-or-stroopies-for-st.html

"Stoopies are waffle cookies filled with a caramel-type syrup mixture.  They are made to put on a hot cup of coffee or hot cocoa.  As the cookie sets on the cup the syrup mixture heats and softens for luscious eating.

There are many clothes for American Dolls.  Aren't the aprons darling?

Traditional Dutch clothing was different in each area of the Netherlands.

Tom liked his adult version of the Fisherman's hat seen on the boy doll.

The Festival is a happy place.

TRADITIONAL DUTCH FOOD

Dutch food is prepared and served by people from First United Methodist Church, Grace Episcopal Church and Fennville Assembly of God.  All proceed are donated to mission projects locally and throughout the world.  Mary Jo, who is the incredible cook, is on the left.

Ingredient list for Dutch Oliebollen "fat balls" which are so yummy.

Keeping the Oliebollen warm.  For a recipe for Oliebollen go to:
http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/11/dutch-oliebollenfat-ballshappy-new-year.html

Tourist showing off her Oliebollen.

Dutch Pea Soup

For a recipe for my family's pea soup, go to:

http://michigancottagecook.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-familys-dutch-pea-soup.html

Dutch Currant Bread and Dutch Banket are for sale to take home.

There are samples out on the tables for people to look at before they order.

Lots of good food for sale.

Tulips, traditional Dutch dress, and Banket, almond paste wrapped in flaky pastry, what could be better?

TULIP FESTIVAL CINO DE MAYO HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

Today is one of my favorite times in Holland, Michigan.  The Tulip Festival starts in Centennial Park with a big Art Show.  My friends Millie and Rod are part of the show with their Native Textures Stone Pendants.  Tom and I met Millie and Rod because we love their jewelry and then found we loved them too. 

This is the fountain in the center of Centennial Park in Holland, MI.  One hundred years ago, my Grandpa Budde sat on a bench in this park with his head in his hands wondering, "What have I done?" after immigrating to the United States.

 Millie and Rod's jewelry.  I will take one of each.

 Rod, cold and wet but working hard.

 So very pretty.  I'll just take the whole box.

Millie hiding her light behind her jewelry.  She was in the picture when I pointed the camera.

Three blocks from Centennial Park is Cino de Mayo Fiesta on 8th Street in the Holland Farmer's Market.  I could go from one booth to another and eat all day the luscious Mexican food available. 

One of my favorite restaurants, but the line is long and it is raining hard.

 Arturo's makes wonderful tacos.  His mother is fantastic.

 Fancy hats.

 Good looking fruit.

Deli Joe's is a bakery too.  I had a cream cheese strawberry empanada.  Yum.

 Great ingredients make great tacos.

 Do you want hot or mild salsa? 

My Pastor Taco, marinated pork with grilled pineapple, red onions, and avocado cream.  I like their hot salsa.

I don't know why most years it has to rain during the Art Show and Fiesta.  I came home soaking wet after walking through the show and standing in line at only one food booth.  Notice I said walking.  My new knees are starting to feel like they are part of me instead of those "things" in my legs.  I also came home with a happy tummy after eating Pastor Tacos from Deli Joe's.

Although most of the tulips are gone because of the warm weather in March, there are still flowers to be seen.  Here the home owners use umbrellas to keep the rain off of their tree peonies.

 What a colorful yard.

 I could live happily here.

  The end.

THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY IN MICHIGAN--HUMMINGBIRDS, TREE FRUIT, STEM FEST, AND PINTEREST.

We are already well into the first month of May.  Time seems to speed up every day and the world seems to be spinning faster and faster.  This post isn't about the whole state of Michigan.  People who haven't been to here have no idea how big of a state is Michigan.  When I lived in Marquette, Michigan, I was farther from my home in Grand Rapids, Michigan than I was when I lived in Missouri.

The first day of May, here along the lakeshore of Lake Michigan, I saw my first hummingbird.  It wasn't impressed with the orange I had out for the orioles and with the empty hummingbird feeder.  I quickly cleaned up the feeder and made some hummingbird food.  I learned this year at a bird store that I can use white vinegar instead of bleach to clean the feeders.  I find that easier.  I also have started use finely ground sugar like C&H's Baker's Sugar.  It dissolves much faster.


We have such crazy weather this year that the newest estimates is that Western Michigan has lost 75% of its tree fruit like cherries, apples, etc.  All along the coast of the Lake are acres and acres of fruit trees and bushes.  The very warm weather in March woke the trees up much to early.  Then in April came all the cold weather.  When it is cold, not only do the blossoms get frozen and die, the bees stay warm in their hives and don't wander out to pollinate the blooming trees.

Stem Fest starts Saturday in Holland, Mi.

May 5th is the opening day of the Holland Tulip Festival, the second largest flower festival in the country.  The first is the Rose Bowl Parade.  This year, again because of the crazy weather, it looks like we are going to have a Stem Fest.  Even though most of the tulips have bloomed and are gone, Holland is still a fun place to visit.


I, with the help of my son, Matthew, am still trying to figure out Pinterest.  Matt put three different posts up on Pinterest this Sunday, but I don't know if they work. I will get this figured out.  I will not let it defeat me.  I won't be an old lady who can't use a computer. 

DUTCH PIGS IN THE BLANKET ARE FINALLY POSTED

Google has completely changed the design of the blogger format.  I have done the post for Dutch Pigs in the Blanket over three times and lost them all.  Finally I hope it is posted.  I am afraid to look.

It is now a year since I lost my Tommy.  I still don't know what I am doing on the computer let alone with all the extra equipment we have.  Now, on my own, I have to learn to use all the new bells and whistles.  Life sure doesn't seem fair.  Oh well one step at a time.  One foot in front to the other.  Sometimes it is just getting through one minute at a time.

I hope you enjoy the United Methodist Church's Dutch Pigs in the Blanket post.  The church does so much good work and there are so many people who work very hard, plus their food is fantastic.