Adventure Day #2

Here's my co-pilot today.  If dogs could talk, he would be saying, "What the heck is with all this traffic?"  One hour and seventeen minutes after departure, the kids arrived at their school this morning....which is only 5 km away!!!  Not sure what happened somewhere over in Brussels, but it trickled over to my neck of the woods.  The kids were late, and so were the dozens of other kids on the buses behind us.  

I found this adorable keychain at the American Women's Club today.  Just perfect for my friend Banu.  She just bought one of these to cruise around Morton.  Sounds like they are all the rage these days. 

Now on to Adventure Day #2.  Polish pottery is very popular here.  I first discovered it at the Poland booth at the International Festival at ISB.  I immediately fell in love with the different patterns and picked up a small tray I have used quite often.  Gretchen suggested we visit the seller's open house today.  These open houses are held only three times per year, so we just had to go. ;)  I found out this pottery is microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe.  I've decided this is what I am collecting while I'm here....well okay, I seem to be collecting a lot of things, but this is my priority.  I have my heart set on a vase that I am hoping she will be able to get for me.  I'll keep you posted.  I know you're dying to hear!  Ha!

I mean, really!  How does one decide what to buy?  I purchased a round platter with those great handles (you can see in the top picture) and a two part dish that will be perfect for olives and cheese.

On to lunch (always an important part of the day.)  We decided on Thai food.  It was a first for me, and it was delicious!  I'll definitely be going back.  This restaurant is in Rhode St. Genese, and this just happens to be where all of my lovely Adventure Club friends live.  In the top left picture, I am holding the awesome coffee mug Ericka gave me.  It is a camera lens mug complete with the cap.  It is the "replacement lens" for the one that was stolen.  I laughed until I almost cried.  So thoughtful!  Love these girls!

Next, was a stop at an outlet furniture/decor shop just down the street from the restaurant.  It's not much to look at on the outside...not on the inside either...but thanks to the low overhead, there are awesome prices.  This place had the coolest furniture and decor.  I think I'll have to check in each week to see what they have.  We'll just call this my TJ Maxx in Belgium...only a little dustier.  Clearly, we are going to have to either sell a ton of stuff we brought with us or have two containers to take us home.  Or, maybe I need to go back to work to end the shopping.....

I'm continuing to make this house a home.  I picked up some flowers to brighten up the gate area.  I'll eventually get them in some nice pots, but the containers they came in will do for now.

And finally, we bought an extra fridge.  Due to my decorating in the kitchen with the cart and wall hanging, this will have to go in the basement (not a happy husband.)  But hey, it's basically a beer fridge, so Chris can get the exercise walking up and down the steps for refills.

And that is quite a day.  Getting ready for my mom and Mike to arrive on Monday.  I better get cleaning...right after I catch up on The Bachelorette!

Until next time,
Wendy

Adventure Day #1

In my past life, you know the one where I lived in the Central Time Zone :)....I would jet on over to Peoria to do a little shopping on a free day.  Did I have free days???  On very special occasions, I would take the day, or very rarely, the weekend to head up to Chicago.  But today, I headed on over to France to do a little shopping. I know...shut it Vastine! I said it for you Molly. :) 

I met some really terrific friends when I took the Hints class at the American Women's Club, and we are committed to doing something new each week.  I really like this idea!  It's not so intimidating to discover new things when you are sharing it with such a fun group.  Thanks so much for asking me to join in girls!

Our first destination was Lille, France.  Why this city you ask??  Because this city, just one hour and 20 minutes away...has a GAP. :) Andrea and Heather, I am trying to find every nearby GAP, so we can shop at all of them when you come to visit!

Vivian, Gretchen, and Ericka are ready for some serious shopping!

And one with me...um yes...I am the short one! This became very obvious when I tried to hold my umbrella over Ericka's head.  Poor thing almost broke her back trying to walk under it.  

As I so often hear from my GPS...."You have arrived at your destination...on right!"  Whoo hoo!!!  And, each member of the family received something today, so everyone was happy with my little shopping trip.

I'll report back on next week's adventure.  Chris has said, more than once, when we return to Belgium someday, he would like to come back as an expat wife. I must admit, it's not a bad gig. :)

Until next time,
Wendy

What was the hold up?

I've been here for two months, and today I finally made it to a Carrefour (I know Jen Ritz..can you believe it?)  It's a little farther than the two grocery stores I frequently visit...and maybe it was a little intimidating....CARREFOUR PLANET...that just looks large and intimidating.  I am such a chicken!  So, I held off...for two whole months.  But today, I had the afternoon free, so I hopped in my car and headed there, and I didn't use my GPS, which I don't even use on a daily basis anymore.  And, you know what...it was not gigantic and the size of a whole planet. :)  It's a lot like a Walmart.  And, another bonus is it is cheaper than the grocery store.  But, I still didn't buy anything fun.  I find that all I spend my money on is food!  BORING!  I need a real shopping day.  So here are some much anticipated photos of the Carrefour...I know you can't wait!!!  Can you imagine someone doing a blog post about Walmart?  That is how lame this post is. :)

Here it is...all big and intimidating! :)

If there isn't room to park in the lower lot, you can park above and take the escalator to your car.  It fits carts too!

The bread section....it is really something to behold.  Good thing Europeans walk a lot because bread is everywhere and eaten frequently.  This section however is really of no threat to me because I am still intimidated by the machine that slices the bread.  That is a whole 'nother post!

Olives are popular here too.   My mom and sister will LOVE this section.  Me...not so much.  Blah!

And, of course, there is a chocolate store in the Carrefour.  Why not?  Can you see the batteries in the bottom corner?  They are 11 euros and some cents for eight batteries.  That's 15 US dollars!  Good thing we stocked up before we left.  

 Almost forgot...I got to see Bel Ami on the night it was released in Belgium.  There is no release date set for the US.  It was good...Rob was better than the movie.  Let's be honest...I just went for the eye candy. :)

Dorky American who gets her picture in front of the movie sign.  Thanks to my friend Amy (remember my friend from the beer run) for suffering through this moment.

Until next time,

Wendy

Drawing the Line

I am a Diet Mountain Dew addict.  I would do just about anything to drink one right this minute.  Don't get me wrong, Coca Cola Light is delicious, but it's not the same.  Amy and I decided to go to Stone Manor today.  It's a darling little British store that offers some American favorites as well.  I went in search of two things...Diet Dew and Lucky Charms.  Unfortunately, they didn't have Diet Dew, but I was quickly distracted by the Cadbury eggs.  I bought one teeny tiny little one to enjoy after dinner.  It made my day.  Anyway, at the end of our tour around the store, we finally reached the cereal.  And, there on the shelf was Lucky Charms!!!  So much excitement came over me, but then it was completely and totally deflated!  Why???

See that little price tag under the box of cereal?  That says 9.50 euros.  That's $12.53 for one box of Lucky Charms, and that my friends, is where I draw the line.  The kids and I will just have to suffer through our Frosties (Frosted Flakes.)

Until next time,

Wendy