Earlier in the week, we had been invited to Cook's house. Cook is a younger brother of Dick. He is married to Francis. Cook and Francis met in the Philippines where she lived. They made a delicious supper of chicken soup, chicken saté, a noodle dish and salad. I was impressed with Francis' Dutch. She says she has a strict teacher in Cook who would give her homework every night.
With Cook and Francis
They have a 10 year old daughter called Tjesca. She befriended me immediately and showed me not just her guinea pig but also her beautiful bedroom.
There were 4 vanderPrijt cousins here tonight- Dick, myself, Fons (Alphonse) and Cook (bottom).
Photographer- Francis Back left to right-Jean-Pierre, Dick, Mary Ann, Fons, Philippe, and Cook.
Front row left to right- Tjesca and Carla
They also had a friend, Jean-Pierre as a guest. He was here with his son Philippe to deliver some photos he had taken when he took a group of vanderPrijts for a day trip on his barge.
With my cousin, Fons (Alphonse)
Cook and Francis bought this tulip bulb shed after the depression of a few years back forced him to sell his home in Zandpoort.
He has spent 4 years renovating the entire building with his wife. The back half holds 3 apartments and the front half is where they live. They have received a special award-the Black tulip award.
Side view
Before and After photos
It used to be a shed to hold tulip bulbs.
The bulbs were formerly placed on shelves in these boxes.
The building had big cracks in the walls that had to be repaired.
New windows had to be installed.
The whole interior had to be redone but keeping the original shelving.
Photo showing the shelving now.
The shelves have been incorporated into the stair area of two levels of the building.
Many tulip sheds in the Netherlands have be renovated as shown in this book.
Cook also has a great talent for making metal picture frames. This one even bends into the curve of this wall.
Another metal frame with fancy corner knobs
Two other frames made by Cook
Family photo-
Front- Jos, Walter, Ome Cor, Tante Han
Back- Ron, Dick, Alphonse, and Cook
After Cook showed me his metal photo frames, he opened the door to his former study and revealed a room full of the 700 desk top clocks-a collection that he owns. I was amazed!!!
There were clocks everywhere neatly arranged on all the shelves.
All of the clocks in this room work properly.
He hopes that maybe one day he can sell them on E-bay when he needs money.
And Cook said that in the other room he has 40 clocks that didn't work that he had made into a work of art.
He cut them in half and used the wooden front part to make this art collage with metal border. The back mechanical part was also made into art but is displayed at the store where they sell fancy cars.
Each door opens to reveal a CD cover.
Cook also made this beautiful bed and study area for Tjesca...
...and this play tree house in the yard. The roof has unique tiles with no two alike.
This photo shows the special handmade roof tiles on the play house and on their sun shelter.
Their sun shelter made by Cook.
The small canal that runs along their property. They have made a small deck there.
It was a very nice visit. Thank you Cook and Francis for a lovely visit to your special home.
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