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Hanneke is a Dutch girl who has been chronicling her journey to build a life with her family in her blog, Northwoods Adventures. Deep in the Northwoods of Wisconsin she raises her little girl and writes all about living the American Dream.
You have an amazing back story to your blog…and well…your life! Can you tell us what it was like growing up in the Netherlands and what the biggest culture shock was for you when you moved to America?
To be honest, I lived in the US for two and a half years as a child so I cannot really speak of a culture shock. The biggest difference for me is space; there is so much of it here. Holland is very small country with 17 million inhabitants and counting. Itโs beautiful but crowed. I fell in love with the wide open spaces here, especially in northern Wisconsin. And I donโt see myself ever leaving again. Holland is the homeland, but this is home.
You are raising a beautiful little girl with your husband, in what ways will her childhood be different than yours being raised in America?
I was raised a city girl. Lola is being raised in a very rural part of the US, and we are about to move to an even more rural area. Just last week, as she and I were driving along a remote highway, we had to slow down for a black bear and her four cubs crossing in front of us. We watch eagles together, and wild turkeys. I grew up dodging pigeons, the kind you find in the city. You know, the filthy brown and grey ones with missing feet.
What can readers expect to find when visiting your blog for the first time?
Whatever happens to be on my mind that day. I started my blog as a way to bring far away family and friends closer to us. I try to post at least twice a week, something I fail miserably at on a regular basis, justlittle tidbits of our daily life. Having a toddler is a constant source of amusement of course, and I like to share the joy, as well as the aggravation.
In what way have you benefited most from blogging?
Blogging soothes my soul. Especially thatfirst year, when I found myself living in an unfinished barn without windows and plumbing, writing down my story kept me sane. It was, and is, a way of dealing with my inner turmoil by putting it into words. It is therapy, a personal diary, a scrapbook, and a family history all rolled into one.
Other than blogging, what is something you are passionate about?
I love gardening, crafting, decorating, and reading about those topics. To quote one of the recently featured bloggers, I too have fallen into the rabbit hole of craft blogs. I find them fun and inspiring. Itโs frustrating sometimes to find so many wonderful projects and not getting around to doing any of them. I long to turn a house into a home for the three of us, with traditions and memories of our own. Now, if only we would stop moving around so much, I might actually be able to.
Other popular posts from Northwoods Adventures:
Adventures of a Dutch Girl: The cliff notes of her life so far.
Toddle Talk IV:ย Toddlers are funny people
Trespassers Will Be Shot: Enjoying the outdoors.
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My friend’s daughter’s name is Anneke and they are dutch ๐ I’m going to go check you out ๐
Wow….very interesting life. And a barn without plumbing…I can’t imagine!!
I’m off to visit her for a good read. I’m entranced with stories of people who move from the city to remote areas. Thanks for featuring her.
It’s both fun and enlightening to read about somebody’s adventures and experiences in a country she relocated to! I’d love to read more, and will check out her blog.
It looks very pretty there! Perhaps one day I’ll see it for myself ๐ Right now, still recovering from a recent trip to Spain, dreaming about the food I ate there! haha
What an amazing experience to watch black bear cubs!! City kids don’t get that kind of experience!
Its neat hearing someone describe a part of the USA with such love.
Sorry I haven’t been around much lately.. Hoping to get back on track.
What an amazing experience to have raising your child in a foreign country.
And bears! oh my.
Sounds like you’re having a grand adventure…I especially love the toddler talk posts ๐
Thanks for sharing some of your life on your SITS day! I’m going now to look at your blog. See you there!
I can’t begin to tell you how cool it is/was to have you all stop by today. Thanks for all the visits and sweet comments! And now the return visits start. Be patient with me, please. I will pop over!
Her daughter is so precious! I’m loving the story behind her blog and can’t wait to check it out!
Her family sounds wonderful!!! And fun!
Cool pics! Looking forward to reading your blog ๐
A great read and a lovely family.
Looks beautiful!
You lived without PLUMBING?? Your life sounds far more adventurous than mine!
Congrats on being featured today. I just looked at your blog and I’m in awe of the photo of your snowy barn. Beautiful!
Congrast on your SITS day!
What a beautiful blog!
looking forward to reading.
I am a city girl myself but I love reading about you and your daughter watching nature! What an adventure each day must be! Keep up the writing and letting us all read about your wonderful experiences! All the best~
I love reading from such a different point of view. I think that having a cultural background outside of the U.S. is so intriguing because it is all I know. I can’t wait to stop by!
Great photos.
Great photographs! And you rock a pink wig. Nice work!
just say hi!
super cute.
She sounds like a fun lovin’ kind of blogger!
Love the photos … so sweet!
Beautiful blog and writings. What an adorable family you have. Enjoying your photos.
p.s. the top northwood adventures link is not working…
I like reading about rural living but, oddly, don’t actually enjoy being in rural areas. So thanks for doing it for my vicarious pleasure.
jill
http://inbedwithmarriedwomen.blogspot.com
On my way, looks like a good read!
My BFF spent a year in the Netherlands as a child and I love her stories about skating on ponds with her dad and tulips everywhere. I can’t see a tulip without thinking about her dad!
This should be an interesting read… Can’t wait to check it out!
Love the wig!
What fun experiences!
Fun pictures! Can’t wait to read your blog.
This blogger sounds fantastic! Off to check it out! I would like to know how to live the American dream
http://www.becominghomegrown.com/2011/05/i-dabble-in-organic-snottiness.html
Holland and Wisconsin–cheese!
Awesome! What an inspiring story– I can’t imagine the cultural challenges in relocating internationally! I’m going over to check her out!
I am really excited to read your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Her home looks beautiful!! Can’t wait to check her out!
howdy.
Super interesting!
What an interesting blog!
Happy Wednesday ladies!
Happy SITS day. I enjoyed reading your post. I grew up in the midwest (Indiana) and miss it quite often. Living in northern Florida is nice, don’t get me wrong, but the landscape is totally different. I wouldn’t like living in the country in Florida…too many bugs!
She looks like a lot of fun and such a lovely person. I’m always curious to read about people who are raising their kids in a different country than the one they grew up in.
Happy Wednesday!
I found this site awhile ago on SITS and LOVE her!! Happy SITS Day!!