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 !

 

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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 ! 

 

 

 

 

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND FEBRUARY 21

 

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

 

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WEEKEND 

On Saturday my son and grandson came for a visit. I hadn't seen them since Christmas, because 250 km in winter by car can be dangerous and anyway we see each other on the screen. 

But I have to admit that I was a bit surprised when I saw them live ! 

 

 

Toby is just 2 cm taller then his Dad ! For me it became difficult, from behind they nearly look like twins !

We had Hamburgers for lunch in my room and the lunch they brought for me was also eaten by "little grandson". I only ate a Hamburger !  

After lunch, we chatted about the last news, and Toby was very interested in  what his father did when he was 15 and going through puberty. I could have told him a whole book, but I only told two stories; I didn't want to undermine the father's authority. We laughed a lot, and somehow I felt like I was living in the past, because father and son behaved just like we did as parents back then. Dad is more of a friend, and poor M is the bad mum in the middle, just like I was. It was always "Mum, no, Dad, yes," and the same thing is happening again here. 

Then we went to the others and played bingo. Toby likes to play with the oldies and took the wheel. I was proud that they behaved so good. They put the tables together for our coffee time, set the tables served the coffee. 

 As it was still Carnival, they put a fancy hat on my head, and we spent a very nice afternoon. At 5 pm they returned to Amsterdam. And I felt as if I was a circus manager who was walking two rare species. I heard whispers everywhere: "Look! They are so tall!"

 

 

 

 

FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

In one day (Monday) we had the whole weather program ! It had snowed and quite a lot ! It was slippery and we all had difficulties do drive !

 

During the night, probably the castle ghost had cleaned the whole snow away 

 

and the gardeners could proceed their work. A few hours later and the rest of the week was very humid but unusually warm. Many people caught colds. 

I only went shopping once because my son and grandson are coming on Saturday. Otherwise, we played our games as usual, but unfortunately, Eva died on Wednesday. She was 90. She apparently had pneumonia. 

I had an appointment with my pulmonologist, whom I have to see twice a year, and the result was very encouraging. I have nothing except this pesky chronic bronchitis that makes physical movement so difficult, and often walking as well. Then it's difficult to breath. Fortunately I didn't fall ! 

 

Ever since I have this view !

 

Now I am waiting for my two "dwarfs" to spend some quality time together. I haven't seen them since Christmas and it seems that Toby (15) is still growing and is now taller then his Dad who still is 2 m long.

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HODGEPODGE 19

1. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season? 

When I lived in Bonn in Germany, Ash Wednesday was the end of the Carnival, very important in this region. The Catholics ran to church and got a cross on their front with ash. I am protestant and didn't have a cross. Here in Belgium some cities start Carnival others ends. Each region does things differently. Belgium is Catholic, everything else is either nonexistent or barely present

There is no other mark for a Lenten season. 

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?  

Non, because of the Marble Syrup, I can't find it anymore Maybe it's due to the fact that a lot of Americans left Belgium because their companies returned to the States. . When I was in the USA for the first time in 1971 my aunt made us pancakes with marble syrup. I liked them so much that I ate nothing else but pancakes for breakfast for two weeks during our road trip! Rick gained 10 kg, (which suited him very well) and not just because of the pancakes!!

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

I tend to do everything at once anyway, or at least try to. The last time was when Rick died and I had to juggle tons of paperwork, and the funerals. Normally I'm a well-organized woman, but there I probably did what had to be done, but I have a complete blackout when I try to remember.

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?  

 

I have been so often in Egypt where they have wonderful jewelry made from semi-precious stones, which I brought back each time I was there because they were so cheap. Especially turquoise, but also all other semi-precious stones. I don't have much of what is called "real jewelry." I prefer the semi-precious stones because I can find the perfect stones to match every outfit.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge? 

From experience, I believe that the most important thing in a leadership position is that the staff is satisfied and gets along well. A company with good teamwork can only benefit.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Every time I turn on the TV, it's the Winter Olympics!! I can watch them in every country, it's all the same, so I watch what I like on YouTube. I actually enjoyed the Olympics once. I wanted to go to London with the Eurostar train, which is so convenient; I'm there in just over two hours. When I arrived at St. Pancras station, it was beautifully decorated with flags from European countries, and an orchestra was playing—I don't remember what. 

I was surprised that I received such a welcome when a lady next to me said, "Isn't it wonderful? We traveled on the same train as all the athletes who participate in the Games!" I hadn't even noticed, but now that she'd mentioned it... A young girl wanted to show me the bus that was supposed to take us to the Olympic Village and was surprised by my horrified expression. I told her, "No, I want to go to Victoria Station, I want to visit a friend!" 

2012

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Le Cercueil, (the Coffin) is a legendary bar 15 meters from Brussels' Grand-Place, it has celebrated its 50th anniversary. I think I was 20 when I went there with friends for the first time. It is very special and has a mysterious atmosphere. Coffin tables, skeletons, framed photos and skull-shaped mugs create a unique, macabre and cosy atmosphere. 

 

 The entrance

The drinks also have special names like "Demon's sperm, supreme of the corpse, Elixir of the Virgin, velvet of the Devil etc"

 The jugs are skulls.

a table

 

The cozy corners where you sit and enjoy your Belgian beer in a skull.

 

more participants here and Image-in-ing here

AWWWW MONDAY - WEEKEND FEBRUARY 14

 

 

Linking to AWWW MONDAYS 

 

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WEEKEND 

On Monday I did my shopping and when I came back a parcel waited for me. I had ordered table sets and a pullover, unfortunately I hadn't paid attention so the sets were in fabric and not in plastic as I had wanted. But I found another use for them and it looks very nice. 

I placed them on the sofa armrests so that Rosie couldn't scratch them.

On Sunday afternoon it suddenly started to snow ! It was the second time that a few flakes fell from the sky. I quickly made a few pictures, because it is possible that this will be the last snow ! 

Probably tomorrow morning it will be gone, that's at least what the weatherman said. 

We were without our entertainers but that didn't bother us, meanwhile Jeanine and I take the animation over and we played what everybody loves Bingo !