In message jake No problem. I'm English. We're living in Belgium at the moment. We're into our 2nd year of learning Dutch. We have holidayed twice in the Netherlands. For the 1st one we were based i~ Callantsoog and we explored the North West and the Waddeneilanden.
This summer we stayed for 2 weeks in a hoeve-logi‘ called 'Vergeet mij niet', part of a farmstead. It was on the banks of the main canal running north. We had great fun exploring the villages of the Waterland. Natural history is a hobby of mine and we found many new plant and bird species. Monnickendam was celebrating their 650th anniversary and many people were dressed in traditional costumes. A beautiful town.
We also found time to explore Amsterdam by tram, bus and canal boat. The only problem was the prices. Beautiful, nevertheless. The folks were very friendly, so much so that we found it difficult to practise our dutch! This was the main reason for our trip ;-) We will return.
Liquid smoke is something which I've never seen, but I can't see me missing it. I wouldn't bother about Bisquick either, for you can easily make your own pastry, especially if you find a source for Reuzel. I make different pastries using butter, margarine, lard and shortening. Not all together of course, but combinations for different purposes.
Coming down the home stretchMy Favorite Son arrived late this afternoon and we stopped at Brianno's for pizza on our way home. While there, waiting for our pizzas, I eyed and tasted some capicolla and genoa salame...
Don
