Belgium Reunion

Last week we had two visitors staying with us - both dear friends from our time in Belgium. He's currently living in Vancouver. She's in London. We all met here in sunny California for a little reunion. We recounted old stories, made new memories, told jokes, played with Ina, hung out at the beach, feasted on sushi and fish tacos, drank Belgian beer and Californian wines. We spent a day at the Getty, another up in Malibu. We had an amazing lunch at Gjelina in Venice, and some great take-out here in our dining room with my brother who was also in town for work. We saw dolphins and ate bread freshly baked one morning by our dear Robbie. It was so normal and natural having them here, like we all belong together... just like back in Leuven. Since they left, the apartment feels a little quieter and emptier (and sober-er), and we miss them so much already.

Here's a peek at our week together:

We love you Auntie Kirsten and Uncle Bobbie! Come back and see us again soon!

(You too, Gug)

Fourth of July!

We took the day off from unpacking and organizing to celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade down Main Street in the morning and a little cupcake making/beer drinking party in the evening. It was a fantastic and full day, and even though we didn't watch the fireworks (though we heard them boom all evening) we had a pretty great celebration.

Here's a bunch of photos from our day...

I hope that you had a wonderful day, and that the fun continues all weekend!

(Thanks for the cupcakes, Sigi! They were amaaaaazing!)

May 1

Patio season is officially upon us, and we took advantage of it today. Lunch and beers, then a walk through High Park while the bug took a snooze... It was perfect.

I hope it's warm and sunny where you are, too... Cheers!

2013... so far...so good

Free beer!

When you aren't working a regular job with regular hours, the days have a tendency to blend into each other... weekends, weekdays and holidays are all the same. On more than one occasion I've had to ask Didz what day of the week it was, and since I stopped wearing my big clunky watch when the baby was born I've managed to lose all concept of time. I know I'll have to rejoin the real world eventually - where deadlines matter and Monday is the worst - but for now, I'm enjoying my schedule being dictated by the little bug. Long walks last as long as the baby is happy, and (according to Didz) when you've been up since 5am, it's not unreasonable to want a beer by 11am. We live moment to moment, rather than minute to minute. If there's a table open at our favorite breakfast cafe, we'll pop in. If there's a celebration happening in the town square and they're handing out free beer and cake, we'll stop to partake. If it's raining and all we want to do is be warm and dry at home and read stories, that's what we do.

These are some moments as of late:

I hope the year has been off to a good start for you... and that you take time to savor some moments, instead of always having to worry about the minutes.

Bon Voyage! Bonjour! Baguette!

Annie's been here for a few days....

She's seen Leuven. She's seen Brussels.

She's had a waffle.

She's had a Belgian beer. 

It seems it's time to move on.... so we're off for a fabulous weeklong Parisian gettaway! I'll be back next week with stories and photos. 

Have a wonderful week! xo

The Weekend Briefly

This past weekend seemed to fly by - as is too often the case when you're having fun. In short, the past couple days consisted of an incredible meal (all you can eat meat!) at a Brazilian restaurant in Brussels, going out for beers with friends, and hosting a little mimosa brunch on Sunday morning... I didn't take too many photos - but here's just a few:

Chicken, beef, pork, sausages, chicken hearts.... fresh off the grill 

And lots and lots of beer

Robbie and Didz

Brunch might be one of my favorite meals - to eat, and to host. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy a long, leisurely mid-day feast complete with mimosas and friends on the weekends. I'll be sure to host another brunch soon and share some tips and tricks I use to making it an easy, laid-back morning.

Mimosas and tulips - two of my favorite things

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I woke up this morning to our first little bit of Belgian SNOW! Which means, this little displaced California girl is going into hibernation....

The view from our bedroom window

(And a BIG happy birthday shout-out to two of my favorite girls in the whole world - D & Ingy, I love you!!!)