Howdie Friends!! Just checking in to let you know how that my sister has arrived safely and we are having a great time.
Oh and can I tell you that your response to my Guest Room Makeover has been absolutely wonderful!! Thank you to everyone who has left me such sweet comments saying that they want to be my next guest.
Ok then. While you were all still admiring my guest room or wisely fast asleep I got up to drive to the airport. Look!
That little counter may say pm but that was 2.40 AM my dears. I drove off in the middle of the night. But at least the roads were empty…
I was right on time at Frankfurt airport to see that her plane had just landed.
And then I had to wait another full hour before she finally stepped through those doors and I could gave her that big hug I so desperately wanted to give her. Two and half years of not seeing each other is way to long!
Then after an airport coffee and sandwich we drove home and crashed in bed to sleep it off a bit.
As you can see that guest room isn’t for show only.
My sister loved it by the way, she was just sorry her suitcase clashed with the color scheme 
And then the chit chat and talk-talk could start for real.
But first my sister had a special gift for me. So with much ceremony the suitcase was opened and I was handed a package.
Hmm she comes all the way from New Zealand to hand me a Tupperware box……
What’s in it?
Green things…
Bamboo shoots? Leeks? Grass?
Let’s take a closer look….
Roots and cutoffs. Now I know what it is! My sister smuggled roots from my favorite plant into the country.
When I was visiting her in New Zealand in 2007, I couldn’t get over this beautiful plant growing so freely and wildly all over the countryside there.
Look at these amazing Agapanthus flowers:
She brought me two varieties of Agapanthus and they have been potted as we speak. I really hope I will get them to thrive here too.
Ok, Tuesday was spent recuperating from the trip, Oh and visiting a thrift store 
Come Wednesday we got serious.
Our older sister joined us and we went to have breakfast at Ikea.
For one Euro you get a complete continental breakfast. And it is truly an amazing experience. On a very ordinary midweek Wednesday the place was packed! There were long lines for the breakfast buffet and you had to fight to find a table to sit and eat.
But with a good foundation in our stomachs we were ready for Ikea’s new winter collection.
Btw New Zealand doesn’t have an Ikea and it is one of the things my sister misses dearly down under in Kiwi land.
Ok, look at what I noticed. Remember my Billy Bookcase Built-in? Well of course you do, I bring it up every other post. Sorry people, I am just so pleased with it, anyway….
Here it is. Look at the details. The beadboard back, the molding, the trim underneath the shelves….
And now look what Ikea is selling for 229 euro!!
A Laktorp bookcase, with molding and beadboard back and trim around the edges and underneath the shelves.
I think Ikea has been reading my blog!!!
(or would that be the other way around…..).
Anyway. We had a great time shopping at Ikea and I came home with way too much stuff of course.
But at least those mugs I broke the other day have been replaced.
All in all we had a great day. And I am signing off now, because I have some more hanging with my sister to do….
Sounds like you're having fun….and I knew your sis would love the guest room (will she be pleased you snapped her pic whilst she slept?!)
I soooo need a trip to IKEA. Closest one is almost 3 hours away….enjoy the rest of your time with your sis
Wat fijn dat je zus over gekomen is, Geniet van elkaar en van alle leuke dingen die jullie gaan doen! groetjes Corry
Yahoo, she is here! Looks like you are having an amazing time with her.
Lieve Marianne,
Wat een bijzonder mooi,bijzonder gevoelige post is dit:-)*
Ik kan me heel goed voorstellen wat betekent als elkaar zoveel tijd niet gezien hebben…hoe emmotioneel dit is en hoe bijzonder prachtig ook!!!
Ik ben zo blij voor je,echt waar!!!
En deze planten,OMG!!!Ze zijn appart,ze zijn errrrg mooi en dierbaar ook:-)))*
Ik wens je allemooiste tijd samen en heel veel plezier,
Liefs en groeten,
***Violetta***
Sounds like you are having a wonderful visit with your sister! How sweet of her to bring you all those bulbs! Of course she loves the guest rooms, it is wonderful!
Have fun and enjoy the rest of your time with your sister!
~ Tracy
Ik kan wel begrijpen dat je zus de gastenkamer bevalt. Hij is heel mooi geworden. Ik wens jullie veel plezier de komende weken, natuurlijk ook in New York.
groetjes,
Marianne
Heel veel leuke, fijne, gezellige, lacherige en nog veel meer plezier dagen met je zus.
Geniet er samen van.
Groetjes en alvast een heel fijn weekend.
Marja
Oh, looks like you are already having fun! Cute room too. I have not seen my sister for 9 or 10 years…..and my brother longer than that…..we live on opposite areas of the country. My brother lives about 3,000 miles away in California (I live in South Carolina)…and my sister lives up North in Connecticut…….ah well.
Oh you are making me so miss my sisters!! How fun to get to spend some time together making special memories!
bee blessed
mary
Heeel veeeel plezier met je zus(sen)!! Natuurlijk ook in New York, al helemaal klaar met je shopping list? Greetzzzzzz
Oh, I can't believe they have that bookcase. I love to look at yours because I had a hand in getting it (beadboard wallpaper) to you. Oh well, hope yours came out to be cheaper than the one at IKEA. I got to visit an IKEA in Dallas on a visit there. They've got some great stuff. Have fun with the siblings!
Brenda
So glad y'all are having a great time!
I love that plant! Here, we call them Lily of the Nile. I had some in my garden one year, but they didn't survive. Maybe I should give them another go.
Hello from Arkansas. Found your blog via DIY on Facebook, and I love love love your style!
Question: I can't tell from the pictures …in the room redo…are the doors frosted glass or did you paper them behind the glass? I tried searching your archives for a tutorial, then figured it must be printed glass. Anyway, I love them. Beautiful, cozy, wonderful room! I'm now off to peel the covers off some books and tie them with jute.
Oh, my email is [email protected]
I just found your blog through another blogger Marianne, so glad I did, I LOVE it! You have such a great style!! The guest room is so lovely. I am sure your sister is enjoying it. Have a wonderful visit with her!
I'm gonna go puruse some more of your posts!
~michelle~
Okee, ik lees dus dat ze uit Nieuw Zeeland is overgevlogen
Heerlijk om lekker met je zus te kletsen, herken het ZO!! Als ik bij mn broer in Thailand ben kleppen we ook tot DIEP in de nacht, uhm vroeg in de morgen haha. Ja en dan is 2 1/2 jaar idd heeeeeeel lang hoor om elkaar niet te zien, weet er alles van. Mn broer is de enige familie die ik nog heb, en als ik dan daar heen mag….heerlijk ♥♥
Heel veel plezier verder, en liefs van marian
Spending time with your sisters and making memories is so special. Glad to hear of your adventures.
Wat een heerlijk weerzien na zo'n lange tijd Marianne en wat een speciaal kado heeft je zus voor je meegebracht, ik ben dol op Agaphantus, heb deze zelf ook in potten gehad, maar helaas hebben deze de winter niet overleefd.
Ik wens je een heerlijke tijd toe samen met je zus.
Lieve groet, Mea
Sounds like you are having a great trip! And what fun goodies from Ikea! I love that store!!
What swedish news here! I didn't know Ikea are selling beutiful bookshelves like this! I bought Billy shelves to paint and restyle to fit my room. I think they have listened to their customers. So glad you have your sister at your place, so nice of her to bring agapanthus to you. I have a bowl of them but they haven't got flowers for a few years now. Have to be patient. Enjoy your time with sister. /Therese
Hello, I've just some across your blog and love it! Your house looks so cute and i love that style – I look forward to seeing your new Etsy store open – I've put you in my favourites. Enjoy the time with your sister – I'm from Aust. and we have those beautiful agapanthas everywhere too – happy planting.
Naughty, naughty – she could have got in trouble for that (huge fine)!!!
I got something today that reminded me of you (in a good way).