Insta – Natasja Sadi

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Apr 5

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. If ever there is a debate if flowers are essential, my answer would always be yes. No doubt about it. Trying to sent you as many flowers as I can. This vase filled to the brim with Dutch tulips, roses, lysianthis, frittilaria, snowballs, carnations and berries. First warm springday with 20C/68F outside, staying safely inside. Have a lovely Sunday and a healthy bright, colorful new week everyone.
#flowersareessential #flowerlove #lovealways #currentmood

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Apr 5

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Love in the time of Corona. I took this picture without this couple knowing. Around the corner of my home, we are allowed to get some fresh air once a day. I was standing behind them for a second. They were so engaged with eachother, they didn’t even notice me. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the teenage children my friends have. Their first (intense) love, separated because of Corona. I think we can all remember our first love and how it made us feel. Empty streets at the end of the afternoon, they had this view completely for themselves. Amsterdam in the spring never looked so pretty. Sending you a virtual postcard signing it with love.
Have a lovely Sunday and beautiful new week everyone.
#loveinthetimeofcorona #amsterdam #lovealways #littlestoriesofmylife #amsterdam #canalhouses #currentmood

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Apr 3

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These real flowers unusual for me to post on a Friday but these are different times. I received a request today. If it would be possible for me to tag a friend and sent her some virtual flowers. There are so many in a hospital right now who are not allowed to have any visitors, who are completely separated from their loved ones. So many who won’t be able to receive flowers for support and well wishes in these unprecedented times.
@cakes_and_crocodiles this one is for you.
Please tag a friend and loved ones in the comments who could use a virtual bouquet.
#flowersforlove

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Apr 3

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Sugarflowers daffodils, helleborus, camelia and carnation. Friday flowerday. I ask myself if it matters what day it is. It does. No homeschooling in the weekends, we all can use this little break. We are adjusting little by little to this new reality. No time for cookie and cake baking with my children yet. You would think that staying at home would give plenty of opportunity but reality is different. Every evening I say to myself that I’m forgiven for the things I didn’t do. I try to stay kind to myself (and in this way to everyone else) always but I have found that these days I have to dig a little deeper to stay kind to myself. ‘...It is ok’ on repeat multiple times going through my mind, spoken softly and out loud throughout the day. Whether this goes for snacks or screentime, sleeping a little later etc. requested by my children it is...”ok”. Forgiveness another word central these days.
These are really tough times for some, but I hope you get a chance to enjoy this weekend.
The sun is out, temperatures of 20C/ 68F expected on Sunday. Please stay home everyone. Let’s not jeopardize our health, or others. Also, we still have this relative freedom in the Netherlands right now with this semi lockdown. We have been doing so great, staying in so far. Let’s not do anything to have our lawmakers impose new measures. We can do this.
Happy friday and a beautiful weekend everyone. Wishing you continued health always.
#forgivenessisfreedom #stayinside #staysafe #springishere #homesweethome #flowerfriday #currentmood

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Apr 1

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Sugar daffodil
There are these gorgeous double daffodils in our home right now standing on their last feet. Only a little bit of time left to recreate them in sugar. When all the daffodils are gone this one forever to stay. Working on some more. With so many varieties of daffodils I still have a few more to go. When I feel I’m losing control, each sugar petal, each stamen at a time brings me calm. First of April, a new month. One sweet flower to wish you continued health and safety.
#calmversations #staysafe #homesweethome #sugarflowers #daffodils #currentmood

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Mar 29

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Received a message yesterday morning from one of my dear flower vendors that they wouldn’t be at our Saturday’s market. Only food stalls allowed, flowers not considered an essential. Health a priority always. My heart sank reading that message, fully aware of the implications of this decision.
One of my most frequently asked questions... where do you get your flowers? I consider myself lucky to know so many amazing flower vendors. Because everyone is so sweet I try to get bunches from different vendors every week. The prices paid at the market are in no comparison to the prices paid in floral shops but keep in mind that the obligations these shops have are higher rents and different risk factors. These shops just as important for the soul of very town as the markets. When you live in Holland flowers are part of daily life. To now have them marked as a non essential is hard to accept. After reading the message I cycled in the earliest hour to a flowershop which I knew would still be open. I had never seen the abandoned streets of Amsterdam like this ever before. Taking each day at a time, we have a semi lockdown until new measures will be announced. In Amsterdam some shops are open but with a 1-2 person policy only. It has been heartwarming for me to see how everyone keeps their distance and waits outside.
Please allow me to introduce some of my dear flowervendors and shops. Save this post with my list but please share in the comments who you think could use a mention in your area. Whether a shop that still does flower delivery or a local farmer who has flowers to sell. Let’s keep sharing those who work so hard to bring beauty every day.
Saturday’s Lindengracht/ Noordermarkt missing you, I can’t wait to see you again:
@j3enw_bloemen
@cityflowers_vof
@pickinggardenholland (open for delivery)
Thank you for keeping your doors open and for delivery
@sijmonsbloemen158
@fleurmonde_
Health always a priority but I will do everything I can to deliver my Sunday flowers to you. This is Holland, we must have flowers in our homes always. Real flowers the base of all that I do. Can’t wait for your shares, let’s fill this little black book forever to keep. Happy sunday🌸

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Mar 28

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Sugar flowers
There is this feeling I wake up with every morning. First thoughts of ‘...is this really happening’ always. The sun has been bursting through our blinds welcoming me every morning in these past days. I try and shift my thoughts the same way as when I’m driving shifting gears. Today is another day. We can do this I tell myself. After breakfast the homeschooling starts. There is an even deeper appreciation of teachers now. Creating flowers, working with blooms is what I do best. Patience is what is needed most when teaching my children. You would think that if I had the patience to create a sugarflower with numerous petals, patience for my children when it comes to homeschooling would come naturally. I can only wish. This is a role I have to work at. I mastered the art of flowers and I have to remind myself it took patience and lots of time getting where I am. We have time. Our government made the announcement last week that the (semi) lockdown will last until June first for now. ‘...We can do this...’ going through my mind several times a day. We are still allowed to go outside. There is still some relative freedom as long as we keep our 1.5m distance to get groceries and get some fresh air. I never would have thought my now once a week moment in the supermarket would feel like a treat. If there is anything this unprecedented time is teaching me it is appreciation. Appreciation for our health, for food, for fresh air, for anyone and everyone out there who has no choice facing the battles. Taking each day, one day at a time. I have let go of the feeling of having to “excel” in anything right now. Doing our best is good enough. It’s Saturday. No homeschooling this weekend. My children are dancing in front of the screen on “Just Dance” right now. Exercise and joy. Small stuff that makes me happy.
Staying in, washing our hands (and phones)...I know we can do this...
Wishing you a beautiful weekend and sending all my love.
#stayin #staysafe #homesweethome #saturdays #sugarflowers #currentmood

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Mar 22

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These times are a bit of a reflection for me. Looking back at one of my most cherished flower captures at home ever Dahlias from my dear friends @famflowerfarm who are shipping dahlia tubers as we speak. This picture not possible without them. Tulips are now peaking at my rooftop terrace but planning ahead for summer and fall. I still can’t believe how these dahlia tubers with its misshaped appearances can end up looking like the most beautiful flowers. Flowers in pots are such an easy way to create happiness and beauty in ones own space. Just a reminder that now is the time to order and plant some dahlia tubers. No need to have a garden. A pot and the tiniest outdoor space can give you dahlias blooming for weeks to enjoy. Living in the city, my pots on my rooftop terrace and balcony a warm consolation in these uncertain times. Now more than ever cultivating beauty at home, a wonderful distraction and lifesaver. Sharing colour in these dark times. Have a lovely Sunday and a safe, happy healthy new week everyone.
#thankyou #famflowerfarm #besttubers #onetofollow #dahlias #dahlialove #dutchflowers #currentmood

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Mar 22

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Cycling home early in the morning on the Amsterdam canals with a basket filled with flowers. I have put the story behind these flowers up on my page. Thank you for all your sweet messages. The Dutch are the number one in the world when it comes to flowers. You can imagine what these troubling times are doing to all these professional growers and flower friends. The most precious Hanoi ranunculus, roses and more. One of my vendors at the Saturday’s market unloaded carefully wrapped boxes filled with flowers. Boxes I had never seen before, from his truck. ‘These are from a friend of mine he said. Calling me when his trucks were denied at the border of Zwitserland. If I could please help him with his load. Flowers now on their list of non necessities’ he said. I got confused. Isn’t it now more than ever that it is these flowers that will help us through the day I asked? Just like food?
These troubling times for the Dutch flower industry made me think of how I have taken things for granted. So many growers, cultivators for so many years have done so much to make my life and so many lives all over the world more beautiful. I never ever would have thought, the fields so embedded in our Dutch culture would be so close and yet today...so far away. I have no idea what the future holds. But what I do know is that we are all connected. All of us can make a difference. Buy as many flowers as you still can. In the meantime I will keep sharing my flowerlove. Have a lovely Sunday everyone. Wishing you safety and continued health always.
#buyflowersnottoiletpaper #staysafe #springishere #flowerlove #postcardfromamsterdam #withlove #whilecycling #canalsofamsterdam #currentmood

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Mar 20

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Sugar flowers
It has been a week now since our children have been home. At home indoors together every single day, hour and minute. To be honest I had these romantic thoughts how wonderful it would be to spent time so closely with our children. Finally getting round to baking cakes and cookies with them. Truth of the matter is... this is not a holiday. Homeschooling our children is very intense. It took us a few days to find our way. Separate learning spaces better than both in the same room. And where normally both my husband and I would start working in the morning, work now happens inbetween homeschooling and late in the afternoon. I’m now busier than ever. All the extra online activities offered (yoga, dancing, music etc) have to wait for now. We are doing the best we can. A wave of emotions keep washing over me through out the day. Anxiety and fear. Overwhelming sadness from stories of friends and people having a difficult time. But also feeling tears coming up when experiencing and hearing about amazing initiatives. Like our teachers switching swiftly to online teaching, saying hi and checking up on our children from their home to ours. Or a professor at one of our prestigious universities guiding his best students to try and come up with a simpeler ventilator machine. Beautiful ways to let grandparents know they are in our hearts who we are not allowed to visit. University students helping high school students (who now don’t have classes) with extra online lessons in order for them to pass their exams scheduled in May for only €5 or less. The text on my phone that read: ‘bag with fresh croissants at your door. Hug soon’ from a friend. Our daughter finally having a FaceTime with her best friends. I swear I didn’t eavesdrop but I could tell they had so much fun and more importantly I discovered these girls are kind with generous hearts. I also don’t think I ever lol as loud and often as I did these past few days. The funny memes, films and clips shared have truly helped me get through the day. Humour always helps in so many ways. Some sweet flowers to end the week. Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend everyone.
#stayin #staysafe #homesweethome #flowerfriday

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Mar 18

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Sugar Tulips.
‘The Schools are closed’
.
We almost forgot, how the city very slowly can become silent, can whisper: ‘Stay home today.’
That by staying home a new meaning of the word freedom can be found.
How a weekend without football can improve your relationship.
How extra toilet paper isn’t going to
save you.
How quarantines don’t really exist, but made up just to be able to read again.
How you read to forget about yourself.
How a Sunday afternoon can last a whole week long, but still every second matters.
How we are vulnerable,
that is that that makes us stronger.
How health care professionals are actually superheroes.
That the wind is a warning of heartbeats to recover.
We had almost forgotten, that we exist in union, that together we are all.
That we keep a distance for a moment,
so that very slowly
we can grow closely together.
.
Gershwin Bonevacia
Citypoet of Amsterdam
.
Translation newspaper @hetparool
March 17th 2020 frontpage
.
I’m lost for words at the moment to be honest. This poem summed it up best for me. A translation from the Dutch version. We are doing our best as a family to try, find and create a new temporary normal. Immens gratitude to the school and teachers of our children for inventing (new) ways for us to homeschool our children.
Sugar tulips. No Dutch flower more fitting at the moment to wish for love and health. Wishing you a beautiful day, stay safe everyone.
#lifeintimeofcorona #staysafe #teachersarethebest #thankyou #wednesdaywisdom #hetparool #GershwinBonevacia #poetryislife #currentmood
@gershwinbonevacia

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Mar 15

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. So lucky to have found some poppies to enjoy and to work with. Thank you for all your messages yesterday about the current situation of our flowers in the Netherlands. This was problaby the last week I was able to source some flowers at Saturday’s market but I will do my best to continue to post every Sunday. One thing I know for sure, I’m not going anywhere. Flowerlove always in any shape or form! Happy sunday everyone. Wishing you a happy healthy new week like never before. Sending you all my love always.
#saturdaysmarket #flowerlove #poppies #holland #staysafe #currentmood

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Mar 15

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Happy sunday from Amsterdam. I managed to take a picture just now. Amsterdam in unprecedented times. Abandoned streets apart from the occasional dog walker. We will be locked inside for the next three weeks for sure. Physical social distance advisable but I have noticed that in the past days connections over the phone have become even tighter. Don’t wait to sent that message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Stay connected. For some, that one message can mean the world. We are all in the same boat. I’m sure when we will see, meet and hug eachother again on the other side of this ordeal, new experiences will be gained. I’m so interested to hear what our children are gonna say when all of this will be behind us. Hang in there everyone. Sending you a postcard from Amsterdam with lots of virtual hugs and kisses
#lifeinthetimeofcorona #littlestoriesofmylife #amsterdam #canalhouses #currentmood

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Mar 14

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Sugar poppies
Beautiful flowers, millions of stems are being destroyed and thrown out at the moment. Yes, these words you are reading are not incorrect. Although most of the Netherlands is in lockdown, I was able to make it to our Saturday Market for food and flowers. Usually my favorite moment of the week. I came back with problaby the largest flowerhaul I ever have taken home but also with the largest amount of sadness. Flowerprices have dropped significantly. And not just that. Suppliers having to watch how their flowers worth a quarter-half million euro’s are being denied and destroyed at the borders because they have closed. The Whatsapp messages in one of my flower vendors phone were flooding. The largest flowerauction (Aalsmeer) in the world that seats over 800 people is no longer allowed. In just a couple of weeks Holland will be at its most beautiful. In full bloom like you have never ever seen before. Today it was also confirmed that the annual Keukenhof won’t open the 21st of March. We are the number one in the world when it comes to flowers. These are unprecedented times but I know for sure these growers will find a way. This will be a rocky road and it breaks my heart. I have so much respect for everyone working in the flowerindustry and related right now.
All our lives are different from what we were used to compared to only a couple of days ago. I know some of you have been hit hard by our new reality. Today was problaby the last Saturday at the market. We need to stay safe. Our health is what is most important. Staying home, washing our hands (and phones!!) will keep us healthy. Let’s safe the world from our sofas everyone. Let’s continue to share beauty in every way we can. Thank you so much for staying connected here on IG.
#saturdaysadness #beautyinthebin #staysafe #keepsharing #hollandlove #flowerlove #currentmood

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Mar 12

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Unwrapping Sugarflowers “To be broken is no reason
to see all things as broken.”
Mark Nepo
Sugarflowers from my travels last week. One box fell in the Xray machine. I always ask the staff at check in to be careful but sometimes, despite mentioning, things still go wrong. This little accident happened on my way home, so I wasn’t terribly worked up about it. You won’t believe the lovely conversations I have when travelling with these sweet blooms. “M’am what have you got there..?” Frequently asked. The sweetest ground personal helping me with all my luggage always. Unfortunately I don’t have pets but problaby this comes close when travelling with friends with fur. Upon arrival in St. Louis I was taken into a separate section by an official customs agent. He was convinced these flowers were real. It is forbidden to bring any agricultural goods inside the US. (That banana you might have on the plane needs to be consumed before landing.) He guided me through a gate and spoke to a colleague. I immediately said these were sugarflowers. Without even looking “Oh...that is no problem...those are ok”, was heard from the back. But then the first officer said to his colleague, the one that brought me in: “I think you should have a look” he said. One look upclose they both agreed. “You can go M’am, everything is alright”. Thank YOU I said out loud. For the best compliment ever!
Sugarflowers gone wrong after a trip. Bits and pieces and broken sugarflowers. I don’t think I have ever posted broken sugarflowers before. They are not perfect anymore but what they represent is pure prefection to me. Love for my work, a trip I can look back to with so much love and beautiful memories.
So much is happening in the world right now. I don’t think any of us would have thought we would be in the situation we are in right now. If my lecture would have been a week later I would not have been able to travel. We need to be prepared and take each day as it is. Thinking of everyone in less than perfect circumstances. Have a lovely Thursday and safe and healthy rest of the week everyone.
#bitsandpieces #perfectimperfections #thursdaythoughts #throwbackthursday #coronovirus #staysafe

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Mar 8

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Happy sunday and happy International Women’s Day from my home to yours. So many women in my life are my superheroes. I would not be where I am today without them. I’m an only child but I’m so grateful for these sisters in my life. We can’t do it alone.
My Sunday flowers from Saturdays market picked up by my husband yesterday while I was still in St. Louis. He was not only holding down the fort but also making sure I can continue doing what I love always.
Have a wonderful sunday and a beautiful new week everyone.
#internationalwomensday #sisterlove #flowerlove #roses #currentmood

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Mar 8

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And just like that, after a few days of travel, it is good to be back again. When you arrive by plane in the Netherlands the odds are that grey weather will be welcoming you. Today wasn’t any different for me. But for some reason, even without the warmth of sunshine, there is always that feeling of comfort when I arrive. No place like home always. Every country has its own light and colours. Holland isn’t any different. There is that typical Dutch brightness here that is difficult for me to put into words. I’m so curious to hear what your experiences are when arriving in Amsterdam. Sending you a postcard from Amsterdam, signing it with love. Enjoy that last bit of Sunday and have bright new week everyone.
#homesweethome #amsterdam #goodtobeback #myneighborhood #currentmood

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Mar 7

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Arrangement created during my lecture @stlartmuseum yesterday. An hour filled with sugar and flowerlove. I’m a sugar floral artist so creating an arrangement of real and sugarflowers in 15 minutes instead of the usual time I take (with no audience) was daunting. Thank you so much to everyone who came and travelled all the way coming to see me. Thank you for your warm responses and listening to my (sugar sweet) journey and history. I’m still over the moon from all the love and warmth I have received, this will stay with me for a long time to come. A big thank you to the staff of the @stlartmuseum for inviting me and letting me be part of this years #artinbloom Every step in this event has been made truly memorable for me by all volunteers and everyone on the team. Almost on my way back home to Amsterdam. St. Louis in my heart forever. Have a lovely Saturday and beautiful weekend everyone.
#artinbloom #stlartmuseum #stlouis #flowerartist #guestlecture #ilovemyjob #currentmood

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Mar 1

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. A new day, a new month and a new year for me. Today is my birthday. Sending you my favorite flowers and lots of colour. Roses with two tulips that are ready to kiss. I can’t believe there are anemones in here that have been in our home for weeks now. Bending their stems in the vase so elegantly. Getting ready to travel, incredibly looking forward to seeing everyone in St. Louis at the Art in Bloom festival @stlartmuseum
Have a lovely Sunday and beautiful, bright, happy, colourful new week everyone. Thank you for joining me on this special day. Big kiss from Amsterdam
#flowers #myfavoritethings #flowerart #birthdaygirl #celebrating #currentmood

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Feb 27

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Sugar tulip, carnation, poppy and peony. There are so many different varieties with each and every one of these blooms, it is impossible for me to ever get tired with any of these flowers. I was lucky to have some incredibly meaningful talks this week. The kind that leave you wondering and reassured in the best way. Words spoken that lift you up and make you feel grateful. Flowers and best conversations, random order, it doesn’t get much better I’m so interested to hear if there is anything on your side you could do forever. Time flies, I can’t believe it is Thursday already. Let’s make the most and try and do the things we will never get bored off.
#thursdaythoughts #peonies #tulips #sugarflowers #afewofmyfavoritethings #littlestoriesofmylife #currentmood

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Feb 23

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. Lilacs and anemones, flowers from Saturday’s market. Fourth weekend in a row with rain and the strongest winds in Amsterdam. Yesterday not as many vendors as usual because of the dangers of this weather. The ones that were brave enough were holding their breath. Happy I was able to get some of my favorite flowers. Have a lovely Sunday and beautiful new week everyone. Stay safe.
#flowerlove #roses #anemones #currentmood

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Feb 20

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Sugar anemone
A white with a spark of red variety. A few behind the scenes of this one in my instastories. Just one flower to wish you a lovely thursday everyone. I hope your week is going well.
#anemone #protection #flowermeaning #sugarflowers #thursdaythoughts #currentmood

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Feb 16

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. It is that time of year where I’m
always so happy to find magnolias as a cut flower. Always difficult to bike with these branches but totally worth it. Lots of ranunculus and roses, it looks like spring in our house. A happy colourful sight inside with this grey, rainy weather outside. Enjoy your Sunday. I hope you have a lovely and colourful, bright new week everyone.
#magnolia #ranunculus #tulips
#flowerlove #roses #currentmood

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Feb 16

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Happy sunday from my home to yours. Looking out my window. The warmest February 16th ever recorded. After storm Ciara last weekend, storm Dennis kept us busy this weekend. There hasn’t been much opportunity for me to go outside and enjoy the weather. Even in the heaviest of rain Amsterdam never loses it charm. There is talk of building a big dyke from France all the way to Norway. This sounds absurd but this could be the only way we could protect ourselves from the rising sea levels. Heading to spring without perhaps any snow or frost this year. More rain and temperatures around 10/50F in the coming weeks. This winter is like no other ever before. Tea with lots of work and flowers to keep me company. Have a lovely Sunday and brilliant new week everyone.
#winterwhereartthou #climatechangeisreal #viewsofinstagram #stormyweather #lookingoutmywindow #currentmood

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