I am researching and diligently exploring my family's history and native culture. This blog includes family stories, memories, Dutch culture, food and traditions...anything Dutch!
I live in Washington State, USA.
The purpose of this blog is to help myself organize all my "Dutch Doings", progress of family research (minus our names to keep family privacy), and Dutch recipe attempts (I couldn't call myself a cook - but I can try!).
I know this post is very late (it is now 23 June!). I have not had a lot of free time - but now I will try to catch up!
Koninginnedag (Queen's Day) started as Prinsessedag (Princess' Day) on 31 August 1885. This was the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina. After her accession, it was then called Koninginnedag. After the accession of Queen Juliana (Queen Wilhelmina's daughter) in 1948, the holiday was changed to her birthday, 30 April. In 1980, Queen Juliana's daughter, Beatrix chose to observe the holiday on her mother's birthday and to visit a different Dutch town each year to join in festivities instead of receiving a floral parade near the palace.
I found a Queen's Day celebration here, near my home! I was looking online for something in or near the Dutch founded town of Lynden, WA, but I found one on Mercer Island in Seattle - Yea! My husband and I brought my son and we all had a good time. There were Stroopwafels, Satay and other goodies to be eaten. Also some games, puppet show, a raffle, silent auction, book table, children's flea market, and sign up booth for the Orange School (Saturday-school classes taught in Dutch!). My son had a wonderful time playing all the games and I got to attempt to practice speaking Dutch again. I was so excited to get there that I forgot my camera, so sadly I have no photos of the evens to share. But here's a photo of my son's Spelletjes Kaart (Game Card)!
I just finished reading the book, My America, by Everett John Gerard Bloemendaal. This book is an emigrant memoir by a Gelderland (province in the Netherlands) villager's son. It was a fascinating read. Mr. Bloemendaal is a great story teller and gives a detailed account of his journey from a Holland village to being an important and successful farmer of Orange City, Iowa, USA. He puts himself in the hands of the Lord and trusts in His will as he emigrated from Holland in 1867. With many blessings and calamities, he tells his remarkable (and sometimes humorous) story in an informative way. The book was originally called Naar Amerika (To America) and was written in 1911 to inform prospective emigrants in Holland of both the favorable and unfavorable things about America's people and potential (as well as established) farmland, villages and cities. He warns of natural disasters and also of sins prevalent in this part of the world. It was not until 1965 when Arnold Vander Wilt (member of Bloemendaal clan) asked Rev. Conrad Veenstra to translate it so that non-Dutch speaking family and friends could learn of Everett's journey. It was then re-released in 2009 for "a new generation" by Carol Van Klompenburg with the help of friends and family of Everett's. I recommend this book to anyone interested in real stories of early immigration, history, adventure, or the strength and endurance it took to be a pioneer of this, our America.
**Note to my family: When you read this book, you will be stricken with wonder as you see names of people and places you may recognize. However, as far as I have found, these are purely coincidental.
Yesterday (25 March 2011) my son really wanted pancakes for breakfast. I normally use a boxed mix and add blueberries or apples... but I was out of the boxed mix. I turned to what has become my favorite cook book, Let's Go Dutch by Johanna (van der Zeijst) Bates. I had wanted to try the Flensjes Met Peren En Chocoladesaus (Dutch Pancakes [Crepes] With Pears And Chocolate) so I took this opportunity to make them since I had all the ingredients on hand. My son loved them and so did I, although they were a bit sweeter than I usually like my breakfasts to be.
Today (26 March) I found out that yesterday just happened to be The Netherlands' National Pancake Day! It just must be in my genes... a magnetic pull of the Dutch sort!
Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported on National Pancake Day (this is how I found out about it). See the video here:
Next time I have pancakes, I think I'll try the traditional pancake they talked about in the video (and also gave a recipe in the website article): apples and bacon.
Part of the Dutch landscape for well over a century. You would expect to see this post eventually, wouldn't you? It is so typically Dutch.
Concordia Molen in Ede, NL
“[...] The Netherlands' relationship with the windmill goes all the way back to the 13th century, though the classic traditional Dutch windmill did not arrive until the Golden Age of the Netherlands in the 16th century[...]” (www.myholland.info).
There are three types of windmills.
1) The Post Mill has an upright rectangular body with a pointed roof. The entire structure pivots on a massive vertical post. It “must be manually turned into the eye of the prevailing wind.” (Windmills by Sally Taylor, copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited, chapter 2)
2) The Tower Mill appeared about 100 years after the Post Mill (first one in France). It has a tapered stone or brick tower-like structure topped with a small cap. The cap houses the wind shaft and brake wheel (it was the only part that had to be turned into the wind).
3) The Smock Mill (named for it's resemblance of a farmer in a smock) came into existence in the mid 17th century (in England). It's features include a small cap with a stationary building that is tall and has 6, 8, 10 or 12 sides. Like the Tower Mill, the cap of the Smock Mill is the only part that turns into the wind.
(Windmills by Sally Taylor)
Many of us think of windmills pumping water in Holland. A couple water pumping windmills are Wip Mill and Polder Mill. A Wip Mill is a variation of a Post Mill with a separate drive along the main post. This drive controls a scoop wheel extending into the water. A Polder Mill took the mechanism of a Wip Mill and placed it into a larger Smock Mill. These mills worked in a tiered system of mills and canals (Windmills by Sally Taylor). Although pumping water is a very important role of some, it is not the sole purpose of Dutch windmills. In the past, some ground grain to make flour. Others (in Holland and other countries) could saw and split timber, some made paper and others ground cocoa, pepper, mustard, etc... Now there are but a handful of mills that grind grains for flour (there may still be some that do some other functions, but I am personally not aware of the specific mills at this time).
Windmills by Sally Taylor (copyright 1999, Todtri Productions Limited) has some really great photos, illustrations, history and facts. I borrowed it from my aunt who says, "Someday, when I retire, I'd like to paint scenes from this book." I recently started painting again (after a long artists block and lack of time) and I can definitely envision a couple windmills going onto my canvases as well.
It seems that the Dutch are as romanticized by the windmills in their landscape as I (and much of the world) am. It was fascinating to learn that some of these windmills are still in operation today. There are only about 1200, out of approximately 10,000, functional windmills in the Netherlands. Many have been converted to restaurants, museums or simply sit unused. A fully functioning (original purpose) windmill is rare. Even rarer is a female miller (windmill operator). Here is a short clip from RNW about Alice de Wit, miller of "De Blauwe Molen" (The Blue Mill). The clip features images by photographer John Stoel. He pays homage to the millers and their dying trade in the Netherlands. John Stoel's photo exhibition was on display at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam in 2009.
Though the historical windmills are viewed as a symbol of comfort, familiarity, and a fixture in the typically Dutch landscape, the modern windmills or wind turbines are not always as loved. Wind Turbines are ordinarily 40 stories high with three large composite blades at the top of a "post". They convert kinetic energy (wind power) into mechanical energy (electricity). Wind Farms (groups or acres of wind turbines) are popping up all over the world as a form of alternative energy.
There is a strong controversy over the planned placement of a new wind farm on and off the shores near the historic fishing village of Urk. “Urk is united and says: 'No Iron Curtain around Our Village!'” (www.epaw.org). However, the Dutch Cabinet has decided to go ahead with the plan (originally made 12 years ago) but have scrapped the seven windmills closest to town. One might say that the residents of Urk are more thanurked.
I leave you with some fun and peculiar windmill superstitions, sayings, and their meanings:
-If a miller is fatally injured while working, the millstones were considered very unlucky and would never be used again.
-Anyone who dared to demolish a windmill was to have bad luck.
- To "tilt at windmills" ; Behaving ridiculously, most likely ending in mockery.
Don Quixote (Cervantes) charged with his lance on horseback toward giants (windmills).
- "Run of the mill" ; Ordinary.
- "Grist to the mill" ; Work that must be done.
- To "go through the mill" ; A difficult experience.
- To "wear a millstone around your neck" ; Anything or anyone that acts as a debilitating burden.
And my favorite saying... and I what believe I have been plagued with...
- To "have windmills in your head" ; Your head is full of dreams.
Ginger Bread Dutch Row Houses with a boat in the canal.
Well, well... It's been a while! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season - complete with lots of Dutch food! I did! My son and I made the Ginger Bread Dutch Row Houses with a boat in the canal (photo above). Over the last 2 months, we've been cooking up and sharing a lot of food. I didn't have the time to post anything so I am now catching up with myself. Enjoy!
Hollandse Appel Pannekoeken (Dutch Apple Pancakes)
We visited my mom and dad in Alaska for Thanksgiving. While we were up there, I made Hollandse Appel Pannekoeken (Dutch Apple Pancakes). Everyone loved it and it was so nice to come in from the icy outdoors and warm up a piece with our coffee's.
Prei Soep (Leek Soep) with Gouda sprinkling on top.
(Old Amsterdam aged, imported Gouda...Mmmm...)
On Saint Nicolaas Day, we had Prei Soep (Leek Soup) with bread before I went to see Andre Rieu in Seattle (great concert!). This soup was very tasty!
Champignonsoep (Fresh Mushroom Soup)
This Champignonsoep (Fresh Mushroom Soup) was very nice.
Hollandse Biefstuk (Dutch Beef)
A simple dish of meat and potatoes. Hollandse Biefstuk (Dutch Beef) with some sugar and cinnamon apples. The Biefstuk was very peppery.
Hete Bliksem (Hot Lightning)
This Hete Bliksem (Hot Lightning) asks for blood sausage in the recipe. I had a very hard time finding blood sausage. I'm not sure if what I found was blood sausage or not. This dish was sweet, tangy, and meaty. A good tasting dish.
I have a mild allergy to peanuts. Over the years, I've been able to build up a little more of a tolerance to peanuts (not recommended) - or so I thought. Nasi Goreg I (Nasi Goreg I) has peanut butter listed as an optional ingredient. It sounded good so I put it in. I left the hot peppers out so my son could still enjoy it. It was awesome!--So awesome that I didn't mind when I turned red and itchy from the peanut butter. My husband went to the store to grab something to ease my allergic reaction. Next time I think I will leave the peanut butter out.
Nasi Goreg I (Nasi Goreg I) and Gebakken Banaanen (Fried Bananas)
Gebakken Banaanen (Fried Bananas) were served with the Nasi Goreng. They were just as awesome tasting. I couldn't get them to look much like the photo in the book though.
Room En Wortel Soep (Cream of Carrot Soup)
Room En Wortel Soep (Cream of Carrot Soup), a very good soup! Nice and creamy!
Chocolade Oranje Schillen (Chocolate-Covered Orange Peel). These got eaten before I had a chance to get my camera. So so good!
Saucijzeletter (Sausage Letter) and Bisschop's Wijn (Bishop's Wine
Saucijzeletter (Sausage Letter) and Bisschop's Wijn (Bishop's Wine) was great together.
Bitter Ballen (Bitter Balls)
Bitter Ballen (Bitter Balls) were a lot of work but I really liked them as an appetizer. They disappear fast! After deep frying a batch of them for my family's Christmas Eve get-together, I decided to freeze and bake the rest of them a few days later. They were just as good baked as they were fried.
Chocolade Borstplaat (Dutch Christmas Fudge). Notice the lack of photo. Well, at the top of the recipe, it says "[...] My mother never makes it on a cloudy day [...]". It rains a lot here in the Seattle area and I got tired of waiting. I tried it, even though our back yard was filling up with water from the never-ending rain. I don't know if I or the weather was the main factor in this fudge disaster. I was stirring it and stirring it, waiting for the fudge to form it's "[...] thick thread with a ball on the end" (was not sure what that meant, but I was waiting for it). It was looking very tasty, ...couldn't wait! ...and then- POOF! It turned to a powdery mess! * I saved the powdery mess to put on top of ice cream but I have yet to try it. Looking back, it's pretty funny but I was really disappointed at the time. I had been searching all over the place for Orange Blossom Water to make the Orange Boorsplat and I was anxious to finally try it.
*Did I ever mention that I'm not a great cook? I think my cooking has improved since I started this little project though!
...and OF COURSE - Oliebollen (Dutch Oliebollen)! Mine turned out lumpy. How do you get them smooth and round? No matter the lumpiness - they were still delicious!
Oliebollen (Dutch Oliebollen)
(Sigh...) Where is my bicycle?! Must find my bike now.
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