Soar-Dream-France

Let It SNOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I really am in Holland...and yes-it really is SNOWING. They tell me this is unusual here for this time of the year, but there just seems to be snow, snow and more snow.  Enjoy some more of this winter wonderland below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Line-up Of Another Variety

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technology challenges abound on these work assignments. I'm always running around trying to find somewhere to fax, carrying 2 cell phones, a laptop for one thing, a netbook for another, and a travel printer.(Did I mention a third cell phone sitting in the closet that does not work here?)  From time to time, fun can be found in my technology hysteria. I'm carrying a cell phone that makes very cheap calls to the USA. Incredible, until the Dutch company notifies me that they have been bought out and as of 12/31/2010 will no longer offer this service.  Planning to still use it till the end of the year, I went to the TOTALGAZ station to buy more minutes. It would not allow the sales person to add minutes. I will go back and try again and if it doesn't work-go ahead and purchase everything for the new company. While we're sorting this out and I'm allowing gas customers to pay their bills, I wandered around the store. I discovered plush Winnie and his whole crew.  When the minutes didn't work, I went to hell with myself and bought them all for what I would have spent for minutes. I can promise you much more satisfaction out of the gang than from minutes.  It's beginning to look like I'm going to have to mail a box home when this assignment is over...full of stuffed animals! I could say that the kids are rubbing off on me, but those of you who know me know I'm just a big kid anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghenting Again

 

 

 

 

 

Another look at Ghent windows that were side by side, with amazing and fun stuff.  Is it any surprise that this shop is owned by the mother of the young woman who owned the first I shared with you? We didn't actually go into this shop on our journey, but I have a feeling I could have spent an hour or two inside. I love the antique postcards. Flat, sweet and beautiful works best for presents when you're having to hump and haul them all over the world.

 

Window Shopping in Ghent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghent was such a treat last weekend that I'm still sorting through my photos and reliving each step along the way. There was so much to see and do in that short afternoon. I might just "Ghent You Out" with all the photos over the next few days.  But, who cares?  They're fun and 'tis the season to be jolly and all that stuff! Along with my Merci Lady and Santa, I discovered my pal Babar and the Little Prince.  Actually, the Little Prince went home with my colleague.  I was relieved to know that I'm not the only big kid in the bunch!

Etched in Stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beside the Royal Museum in Brussels, my colleague and I discovered a wonderful sculpture garden and this string of statues along the side. Little did we know that we'd soon be sitting just on the other side of these beauties, partaking of some exquisite Belgian desserts in the museum cafe.It was a nice way to wrap up our morning of the Delacroix/Kandinsky-Orientalism in Europe exhibit and attempt at Magritte. I scooped a few postcards of some of my favorite pieces that were available, but was particularly grateful that I could take my own shot of this gal below in the sculpture garden.  Hope you're looking forward to a wonderful weekend!

A Jeffe In Your Hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beer, beer, beer and more beer! I had so much fun window shopping beers of the world as we passed. Last trip to Germany, I reacquainted myself with Bitburger Beer, pretzels and fond, fun, memories of an old friend I still miss. This trip to Brussels did not hold any memory shaking beer experiences-it was too early to partake.  But I was reminded of my first experience with Belgian Beer that happened in Cajarc one August, shortly after I purchased the Chatette.  A friend and I had walked my bike in to Cajarc, so I had a way home and he would then catch the next bus from there. The PMU was sponsoring a Belgian Beer Tasting, so we hung out. I lived dangerously and began with a dark Jeffe.  My friend found a neighbor to ride home with, so as dark approached we were still sitting under the Jeffe Parasols with our Jeffes in our hands. Had I stayed much longer, I'd have been riding my bike home in the dark. I managed my kiss-kiss-kisses all the way around and headed on home along the Lot. It was a beautiful ride-the sun was setting-hues of pink and violet everywhere-but then there was that thigh-high stone wall on the right beside me all the way home.  I arrived safely at the Chatette, thinking how grateful I was that no one found a Laury in the Lot the next morning.

Is It Still French Bread If It's In Belgium?

Growing up, we always called these loaves "French Bread". For me, French Bread is French Bread regardless of where it is or what it's used to make.  My colleague and I passed this sandwich shop in Brussels on our way down to one of the squares. We thought we might stop for a sandwich on the way back up, but opted for our French Fry Feast instead.  By the time we passed by on our return to the car, every loaf in the bin on the right was gone and she was half way into the next bin. That's a hearty recommendation for her sandwiches and the shop.

Gallery Window Wanderings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since we arrived in Brussels very early the other day-we had time to wander the streets before the museum opened. Even though it was rainy and cold, there was so much to see that we didn't even notice it.  I loved watching this day begin. Markets get set up, sidewalks are cleaned, and Santa even drives up in his mobile Santa Visit Van.  This was one of my favorite gallery windows on our wanderings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun Fast Food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turning the corner in Brussels the other morning, I stopped dead in my tracks. I grabbed my colleague and said:  "Look up!"  Had we had more time for a proper meal, we'd have been in the door at Le Bourgeois.  But, we had one more city to make that day, so we kept moving. We did however, sneak in a fun fast food pit stop on our way back to the car. We shared a huge order of frites with onions, mayonnaise and ketchup. It was much more than my usual ketchup only, but it was fun to try something different.  I'm developing a taste for mayo with my frites!

Surreal Sightings

Sighting this Merci Lady in a shop window in Ghent, got me way too excited for my own good. Mon Dieu...Santa and my Merci Lady in the same place at the same time.  There was something surreal about it all.  I giggled the whole time I tried to get these photos. I'd never considered having my very own Merci Lady before this very moment.  I looked at her size and realized getting her home could be quite a feat.  So, I took my photos, browsed through this wonderful shop with my colleague, and didn't even bother to ask how much she cost.  But, the seed has been planted. I'll be on the lookout for another Merci Lady in the future when the time, circumstances, and price are right (oh, and the eyeballs too) to bring her back to the Chatette with me.