iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10h

Miso base portions for soup. You can keep them in the fridge or freeze them to use when you wish. Just add boiling water! Miso paste, dried shiitake mushroom, wakame, nori, bean curd sheet, bonito flakes, and spring onions. Mix it all up and pack into portions. It's perfect for an office lunch.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10h

Now that the days are getting shorter and cooler a bowl of hot miso soup is perfect! I make my own miso base and just add boiling water for an instant warm snack. You can add a few cubes of tofu to this as well and some shredded greens of your choice, and you have a zero effort nutritious hot lunch.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10h

Dandelion greens update. Coming along nicely. Not sure how long it will take before they've grown enough for a salad, but this requires zero maintenance or watering. It takes care of itself by the kitchen window.

Tray full of dandelions greens that have sprouted. They are still tiny, about 2cm with little round leaves.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10h

Rescue dog Noodle would have everyone believe that her life is terribly hard. Here she is with her favourite blanket sulking a bit because it's a rainy day and princess can't go out into the garden because she refuses to get her paws wet.

Rescue dog Noodle curled up with her blanket on the sofa. Looking into the distance like she is tired of this life, but really she's living her best life and is sulking a bit because it's raining today and she refuses to get her paws wet.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10h

I finally got around to baking my yoghurt cake. I didn't have the usual tin this recipe is made for so i used two loaf tins instead. It's like a lemon-scented, fluffy cheesecake slice with streusel on top.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/10/2026

Our local Muscovy mother duck of the year saw us coming home from walking the dog this morning and everyone waddled toward us! The baby ducks are growing fast and all 16 surrounded Raymond and kept him hostage for a while.

Raymond's legs visible as he stands on the foot path near our house with the park in front of him. A large mother duck is next to him and all 16 of her ducklings have surrounded Raymond's feet and are sitting on the ground all around him.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/10/2026

First fire of the season has been lit this morning. It's not really that cold yet, or cold enough to be heating, but the mornings are starting to get chilly.

Close up image of fire burning in our fireplace.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 08/10/2026

On my way to lunch today. Museumplein and the Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam.

View toward the back of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Directly in front is a shallow pool with trees lining either side. At the end of it is the museum building.

A row of trees on Museumplein. The trunks have been wrapped in a cheerful fabric.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 08/10/2026

Izvolite, najmanji Crosky meetup danas! Lunch with the gorgeous @mimikrija.bsky.social at Anjappar in Amsterdam! We both manage people, deal with corporate fuckery on a daily basis, have demanding jobs, and forgot how to use a washing machine because we have house-husbands for that. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Me and Maja taking a selfie outside of an Amsterdam restaurant. Me on the left and Maja on the right.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026

Amsterdam in the morning. Nassaukade. Almost 9:00AM.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 04/10/2026

Today's crafting project was sewing two small draw-string bags! These are handy for kids who have small toys to keep inside, or pencils, their school lunch, hair clips and accessories, marbles, stuff they want to take on a trip, or absolutely whatever one could think of!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 04/10/2026

Our friend Anna was celebrating her birthday last night and a few of us headed to the Hague for what turned out to be one of the best dinners ever! 3Stones Kenyan Restaurant - where the food is as excellent as the hospitality! Home-cooked by the amazing chef and owner - 5+ stars. Superb!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 04/10/2026

And here is one of Raymond’s hand-carved spurtles in action at the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Championships 2026 in Carrbridge, Scotland yesterday! Dutch entrant Mat van Berkel used it to cook his porridge (on the very left). www.instagram.com/raymondmakes/

Stage at the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Championships 2026. Six long tables are arranged either side, three left and three right. Contenstants are busy cooking their porridge entries to be judged. There is an audience at the front and a host is talking to the Dutch entry while he cooks.

Looking down at a table of the Dutch entry from the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Championships 2026. A cooker with two pots is to the left, various containers with ingredients are on the table, utensils, and the dishes are being prepared. Raymond's hand-carved spurtle is in the pot on the very left with the traditional porridge.

The Dutch entry stirring his porridge with Raymond's hand-carved spurtle.

Another view of looking down at a table of the Dutch entry from the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Championships 2026. A cooker with two pots is to the left, various containers with ingredients are on the table, utensils, and the dishes are being prepared. Raymond's hand-carved spurtle is in the pot on the very left with the traditional porridge.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 03/10/2026

It took about five days for my dandelion greens to sprout! I have them by a window in the kitchen. So far so good.

Tiny sprouted dandelion plants in a container.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 27/09/2026

On our way home from the garden centre and water traffic has the right of way in the Netherlands, so everyone waits for the road to be lifted and lowered before driving on. This was in Nauerna.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 27/09/2026

I bought one of these indoor seedling glass houses at the garden centre today and have planted dandelion seeds that Raymond collected for me over the summer so I can grow them for salads. And now we wait.

Small plastic glass-house with dirt in it and seeds that I planted.

Bottom of a small indoor glass house box with dirt and seeds in it.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 27/09/2026

Quick trip to the garden centre today because it's Sunday.

At the garden centre and Raymond is looking across the trolley into the camera. Our trolley in front of me has some plants in it.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 27/09/2026

Sunday morning plantbased breakfast: Carrot cake pancakes! Made with carrots, wholemeal flower, spices, linseed, chia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, served with home-made rosehip jam and tahini.

Three pancakes baking on a griddle in our kitchen.

Stack of pancakes on a plate from above.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 27/09/2026

Raymond made himself a new t-shirt. Venom's Welcome To Hell has been slightly adjusted.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026

It was open day at the YONGLi belting factory in Wormer and we had a guided tour with Raymond’s son Merijn who works here as an installation technician and showed us how they create conveyor belting for just about anything you can imagine! Like being in an episode of How It’s Made!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026

Email from one of my favourite work colleagues yesterday 😂 Dear Nicole, I hope this email kills us both. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Nathan. Me: Dear Nathan, Blah, blah, blah, blah. Kind regrets, Nicole

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026

Driving home from work this evening on the A10 and even with the car window closed and being three lanes over, the heat flash was immense as we sped past. Amsterdam west.

Driving on the speedway and in the distance there is smoke and flames on the side wall to the right.

Closer picture of driving on the speedway and there is smoke and flames on the side wall to the right.

Closer picture of driving on the speedway and the side wall barrier is going up in flames.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Raymond cooked us an excellent risotto tonight! With fresh peas, green asparagus, and baby spinach, topped with (plantbased) feta.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Today Raymond brought one of my ideas to life! Our old bottle and cup drier was shabby so we brought hazel branches back from France which Raymond mounted to fit in the planters. Now the cups drip-dry to water the herbs and we have fresh chives, basil, chilies, basil, parsley and mint to cook with!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Much to my surprise a few things are starting to emerge in the garden after a harsh summer! The first of the saffron crocus has begun, purple sweet potato, and Raymond's bucket leeks are doing really well. #GardeningFeed .

Saffron crocus plant starting to emerge from the ground.

Very small purple sweet potato plant that has started to emerge from the ground.

Baby leeks growing in buckets in the garden.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Plantbased breakfast of champions. I'm calling this: Tabouleh Toast! A slice of home-made grain bread toast, generous layer of hummus, topped with chopped mint, spring onion, parsley, and cherry tomato. Finished with Nigella seeds and sumak!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Saturday night at our community centre De Groote Weiver in Wormerveer and instead of going to sleep, Raymond and I decided to step out and visit the Metal Jam! Blacksmiths were giving lessons outside, and Michael (much-loved IT person from work) was playing drums with his band 'Reptile Overlords'!

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 20/09/2026

Made these last week and shall call them: Nicola-Granola Bars! Plantbased, healthy energy snacks made with oats, pumpkin, hemp, and sesame seeds, almonds, walnuts, sultanas, coconut, peanut butter and (vegan) honey. No-bake, chewy and delicious.

Granola bar squares in cup cake papers arranged on a plate.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 19/09/2026

Flower stall this morning at the Ten Katemarkt, Amsterdam.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026

We had a few unannounced visitors in the garden this afternoon! They are normally in the park outside of our house but have found a way to sneak in and snack on fallen fruit and other delicacies.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 13/09/2026

Raymond closely following a carwash lesson by his son Merijn! It was time to wash the French countryside dirt away after returning.

Raymond looking on at the carwash as his son sprays down the car.

Different angle. Raymond looking on at the carwash as his son sprays down the car.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 13/09/2026

Sunday afternoon is made for naps at our house. To my left, and to my right. Wie das Herrchen, so der Hund. 😁

Rescue dog Noodle napping in her dog bed covered in her blanket.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

Ground beetle in the garden this afternoon. Cavron-Saint-Martin, France.

Close up of ground beetle on the edge of a tree stump in the garden.

Ground beetle on the edge of a tree stump in the garden.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

Mushroom spotting this morning at Forêt domaniale d'Hesdin. France.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

Strolling through the local forest, Forêt domaniale d'Hesdin. France.

View into the forest. Lots of trees and green.

View into the forest and there is one dead tree in the middle front. It has mushrooms growing on it that stick out from the sides all the way up the trunk, like smal shelves.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

The goodest Labrador girl was getting all her market shopping done at the butcher stall this morning! She was spotted later carrying her meaty treats home in a bag. Hesdin, France.

Huge Labrador dog excitedly looking up at the selection of sausages and steak in front of the butcher stall at the market.

View at the market. People walking by, buying things, looking, and an elderly lady is walking off home with her market cart, and her huge Labrador dog is carrying a bag in her mouth, with a treat in it from the butcher stall. The dog keeps looking back at the lady to make sure she is okay and keeping up.

Close up of previous image. View at the market. People walking by, buying things, looking, and an elderly lady is walking off home with her market cart, and her huge Labrador dog is carrying a bag in her mouth, with a treat in it from the butcher stall. The dog keeps looking back at the lady to make sure she is okay and keeping up.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

Thursday is weekly market day, and this morning we were lucky with the weather! Hesdin, France.

Old town walls with the water down below. Raymond is standing at the wall edge looking toward the brick buildings and water.

Old market square in front of the church. Trees growing between the cobble stones.

Looking up between the buildings of one of the streets. It is lined with flowers hanging above.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

Early morning report from the weekly market. Hesdin, France.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

We visited the courtyard of potter Franck Groux in Hesdin this morning. Located in the house of the Abbé Prévost it has been an artist space since 1697! Franck was busy at the pottery wheel when we arrived.

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Nicole @nicamsterdam.eurosky.social · 10/09/2026

We visited the courtyard of potter Franck Groux in Hesdin this morning! Located in the house of the Abbé Prévost it has been an artist space since 1697! Franck creates pottery here and runs workshops. I bought another beautiful cup and Alfons the Basset Hound was there as always to greet us.