Springtime plus a little winter...

These trees are all along
my neighborhood.  I don't
know what they are, the
blossoms are so big.

This is my neighbor's
beautiful bush.

Even in Belgium there
are dandelions.

I made this pillow for
a birthday gift.  Looks
like spring!

I finished this embroidery project.
I love how it turned out...will
have it quilted in the US.

I have learnt how to knit
caps.  This one was donated
to a Brussels charity.

Hunting for Blue Flowers

We went looking for the Blue Flowers in the woods yesterday.  We were early and all we saw were white flowers and beautiful forest.  It was such a pretty day and walking in the wood with hubby was great.

The trees are blooming in the
Neighborhood.

Spring is coming...hopefully

We are finally starting to see some new growth and flowers on the bushes in our yard.  Since this is a rental house, I am not sure what will be coming up so it is a nice surprise to see the blooming.
I made this table runner over the weekend.  It was a quilt as you go kit, and machine applique.  It went together very easily and I like the colors.

I am quite proud of myself.  When we had company last week, Baby Girl and I took them by train into Brussels and we found everything we wanted so show them.  Yesterday I found an English (British) book store in Brussels and there was a Mall near it.  Not Mall of America, but decent and a parking garage!

Happenings

We are on Spring Break this week and next.  We had neighbors from home come and visit and we had a great time.  The most important person who has been with us though is "Flat Jace".  He has been having lots of adventures!

Aachen Market and a Snow Day...

I went to Aachen Germany yesterday for  shopping at the Christmas Market with the school German club trip.  The market is in the shadow of the the Aachen Cathedral, which is the oldest cathedral in Northern Europe.  It was consecrated in 805.  We did not tour it, we went for shopping.  Aachen is only about 2 hours away, so definitely a day trip.

I bought a couple of Christmas items; the small boot shaped cup contained an Irish Coffee that was a little coffee and a lot of Irish.  And there was a Starbucks...a new mug for me.

Today, a snow day for Anna...and I will be doing some sewing.

It snowed in Belgium

I woke up this morning and there was a beautiful snow fall...really nice fluffy flakes.  I don't know how long it will stick around, but it is pretty this morning.  CashUs acted like he had never seen snow, this is the dog who would run/jump into snow piles in MN.

Hubby and I ventured out and went to the Farmer's Market; they have the best roast chickens ever and that is what I had planned for Sunday dinner/Monday leftovers. We made it no trouble and chicken for dinner it is.

Something to Bring Home...

A serving plate

Butter Dish

With Butter...it comes in a brick.  This is a medium
size.  Some are quite large.

There are many items the Ex-Pats collect to remember there time
abroad.  Some collect the glasses that go
with the Belgian beers.  Some collect Starbucks Mugs from the
different cities around Europe, or t shirts from the
Hard Rock Cafes, etc.  I am going to collect Polish Pottery.  It actually does come from Poland, and it mixes and matches very well.  There are several different patterns that all incorporate the same colors, but not the same designs.  I have always loved china.  Both of my grandparents worked at Crown Pottery in Evansville and I have 2 sets of dishes that were my moms and grandma's.  The wives of 2 of Hubby's co-workers also are collecting this.  There was an "Open House" I went to today and purchased these pieces.  It truly was an open house, in a neighborhood, in the seller's bonus room...tables and tables of pottery, some even sitting on her sofa.  She was British and she had the coolest kitchen and stove.  It is an AGA cooker and she brought it with her from England.  Originally it used wood, but they had it fitted for gas.  It kept her kitchen very cosy.  She didn't seem to think it was odd I wanted to take a photo of it.

Oh Happy day...

I found a store in Waterloo that carries these beautiful things I love.  I looked at the price of the fabric...
and I don't remember how much it was.   I really don't need any fabric or tools, but it is nice to know where I can get some.

My neighborhood will celebrate Halloween this Thursday.  It is not a Belgium holiday, but the school Baby Girl attends celebrates it.  The kids go Trick or Treating through the neighborhood across from the school.  Families have been bringing in candy to the school and today I helped sort it and distributed it to some participating families.  Lots of varieties...can't wait to go through Baby Girl's bag when she gets home!  I hear I will probably need every piece...one mom gave out 600 pieces of candy last year.

It's Fall

Hubby sent a picture of the view from our
town home patio.

I live in  neighborhood with older trees.

I love how they frame the street.

This is a bush in my back yard.  It is so pretty
and the leaves are very feathery and soft.

Back in Belgium

I went back to the US for about 12 days.  I got to see my son, meet his roommate, see his dorm room, go to a ISU football game, shop with my son and feed my son.  It was wonderful!  Number one son is doing very well.  Making his parents proud.  He has made a good transition into college life and dorm living.

I also got to go on a quilting retreat.  I sewed and slept and talked and laughed.  It was fun and I even got to feel cold MN wind.

Best of all I got to see lots of friends that I miss.  I didn't get to see everyone that I wanted to, time flew by.

Hubby, Baby Girl and dog all did fine in my absence. They were pampered by the very welcoming community here.

I have been back now a couple of nights, my sleep is still messed up. I did errands today and I forgot how aggressively they drive here.   The trees are changing now in my back yard, it is very pretty and very wet.

Saturday in Maastricht

Even the entrance is pretty.  (No, that's not CashUs)

A shoe store named Cinderella

Hubby and I spent a lovely Saturday afternoon in the Dutch town of Maastricht.  Really nice weather and so much to look at.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup for supper takes a little longer that opening
a can of Campbells.

Directions on the back of the can, in Dutch and French.

Typing the directions into Google Translate.  The
best invention ever.

Still shopping

You can purchase 1 fresh Chicken breast for just under
$3.00.  I love that.

There is a store called Media Mart in Waterloo which is very
similar to a BestBuy. The entrance way has
a gift wrapping station.  

A Little Shopping

Shopping is fun, interesting, sometimes frustrating, and time consuming!

I wanted a can of Chicken Noodle soup.
(I know make it myself, but I want to have a "go-
to" brand ready before winter and cold season.)

They look the same right....one is in Dutch and the
other is in French.

I guess this one has White meat and more carrots.
I bought this one and the French one.

More Out and About

We like exploring around, and I love all the flowers everywhere.