FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday we all went to a restaurant in Waterloo, which I know at least for 40 years. Meanwhile it has renovated and is bigger, but what has not changed is the cozy atmosphere and the excellent food. They have excellent steaks and each time when son and grandson are coming we go there because the steaks are big for the two little ones. 

We had a choice of three set menus, red and white wine, and for dessert a "Café Gourmand"—it was really very good.

 

Café Gourmand gives the opportunity to eat several different desserts in one go, without feeling guilty for the calories as the quantity of each dessert is supposed to be tiny.

When we got back to the hotel, we had another coffee and then went to our rooms. I only ate a few grapes for dinner! I didn't have room for anything else.

and here we are, waiting for our meal. 

 

 

The next day I watched  the photographer who built up his material for a photoshooting of all residents. 

As mother of a professional photographer who's already taken countless photos of the residents, including me, I politely declined, explaining why. Besides, I thought the price he was asking for a photo was a bit to expensive.

 

The result was real nice, he had done a good job !

On Thursday the weather was again springlike and I finally could do my walk, unfortunately only half of the park then I had to sit down. While I scrabbled on my phone, the photographer who had taken pictures of me and my room, appeared and asked me if he asked if I would allow him to take pictures of me on the bench and pretend he wasn't there. I continued scrabbling, occasionally glancing up at the sky or to the side while he hopped around the bench. After half an hour, he was finished, thanked me, and left. Now I am curious about the result. 

and while I "worked" our staff enjoyed the lunch break in the sunshine. 

The next day, a man came to show us a presentation and a film about his vacation in Croatia. I thought it was going to be a documentary, not his own photos and videos, and I was incredibly bored. I'd already been to that country on my last trip through Eastern Europe (formerly Yugoslavia), and besides, he said a lot of things that weren't true at all. I could tell he hadn't traveled much in his life. Many people fell asleep. Luckily, André, who is always interested in everything and really knows a lot, kept interrupting him and      asking questions that I found quite amusing, like whether people have electricity.

Our 103 year old Gilberte passed away this night. I had visited her in the afternoon and had chosen a bad moment. The whole family was there and looking at her face I thought she won't make it this night, and I was right. But passing away at 103 without being sick and just fall asleep is the best for her what could happen. 

 

        

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

I have been several times in Venice and noticed that you can buy these beautiful masks the whole year long. I bought one, because they are quite expensive !

 

more participants here,
and Image-in-ing

HODGEPODGE FEBRUARY 26

 

1. America celebrates turning 250 years old this year. Primary cities set to lead the celebrations on July 4th are Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. Other significant locations for celebrating will be Charleston SC and the 'historic triangle' which includes Jamestown-Willimasburg-Yoincludes Virginia. 

Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Of the cities listed which would you most like to visit this year? Any plans to do so? What's one place in America you think everyone should see? If you're not American what's one place in the US you'd like to see?

Honestly none, ever since it doesn't seem a safe country anymore. It has changed so much since there is a "new" president. While before Europeans loved to visit the States. The most beautiful place for me was the Brice Canyon, even more then the Grand Canyon. We were lucky, we have been many times in the 80/90

 

2. Three sounds you love to hear? 

 

I love the purring of my cat, the sound of the ocean and bird singing

 

 

4. February 24th is/was National Tortilla Chip Day. Are you a fan? With salsa, guacamole, queso, or just plain please? Do you like nachos? With what on top? Is there anything (besides nachos) you make that calls for tortilla chips? 

 

The only thing I like are tortilla chips with guacamole. We don't have a lot of Mexican restaurants here, and Mexican recipe are seldom served in private households 

5. We March into March with next week's Hodgepodge...what's one thing on your March calendar that makes you smile? 

 

Since I don't have a crystal ball to see into the future, I have no idea what should make me smile in March Certainly not the climate, and nobody has a birthday.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I never thought I'd be posing for a photographer again at almost 83! It happened yesterday. A young man came and asked if I'd be okay with him taking pictures of me and my cat Rosie in my room for a brochure showcasing all the retirement homes in Belgium. Of course, I agreed, and for an hour he hopped around me taking pictures. Unfortunately, Rosie wasn't very cooperative and only allowed two photos. The photographer was quite taken with my room.

Today the weather was glorious, 20°C, which has never happened before. I was walking in the park and sat down on a bench. Suddenly the photographer appeared and asked if he could take pictures of me on the bench. Of course, I said yes. It lasted nearly an hour ! The whole thing reminded me of my first job as a translator. It was for a company that manufactured fur and leather coats. If a model was sick, I had to fill in. I was 21 and, naturally, flattered. I found that strange somehow. At the beginning of my adult life, I was doing a job I'd never learned, and now at the end, I'm doing the same thing again !