Mother Lambic

Brussels is home to lambic style beers, which are open fermented, or spontaneously fermented by wild yeast. I sought out this bar after reading some good reviews online, and the name Moeder Lambic translates to Mother Lambic in Dutch. I enjoyed a kriek and a gueuze from a local brewery, plus a Belgian stout that we won't talk about. The sausage in the picture was made with beer, and I have issued the challenge to Nate and Jeremy, the charcuterie apprentices.

Belfort in Bruges

If you have ever seen the movie, In Bruges, it ends here, in this square, at the top of the Belfry or Belfort. Built in the Middle Ages, it is really impressive for many reasons. First, it was built to protect fabric. Yes, later important government papers were stored here, behind nine locks and two sets of gates, but initially, it protected textiles. About 400 steps to the top, many fewer than the Empire State Building, but these were built centuries ago, some wooden, some stone, all curving around and capable of inducing vertigo. The view was worth it! I wish it had been a sunny day, but it was raining,windy and cold. At least I was dressed for it this time.

Small plates, big flavor

While looking for a small brewery down an alley, only to discover they were still on holidays, I found Cookie's. Not the chocolate chip store, but a small tapas restaurant. I had dry-aged beef carpaccio from a local source and buffalo mozzarella on garlic toasts. Add in some olives, a glass of Portuguese red wine and some Spanish olive oil, well, it was plenty. Ad I had stayed awake much longer than I had expected to! Jet lag managed.

Snow in the South

We almost had a snow day last week, preparations to shut the state down were in full swing, at least in my imagination. Derrick, the big bad trainer, said we still had to work out, so I battled snowy conditions to get there. At least I have a garage, and didnt have to scrape like this person. Note roads are clear. 

 Bernadette was unimpressed, she wanted enough to build a snowman.

 This pictre from the military park was posted on Facebook, though. Beautiful!

Sad Suitcase Face

Not everyone is happy to see me leave town. Pretty sure the cats start party planning when they see the suitcases.

Can you Dig It, Will?

 A couple of weeks ago, Will Kennedy turned THREE! 

I got to hang out with Lauren before she had woken up all the way, I promise I didn't make her cry. My overalls were in support of the construction theme of Will's birthday.All the kids got fun hardhats with their names. Grady threw his to the back, cause he's got it like that. 

Will was the cutest during the singing of Happy Birthday, had his mouth open in awe as we belted out the song in his honor.

Will and Manu sat at the school desk and ate, little Grady just wants to run with the big boys.

John didn't want to be anywhere but in the arms of one of his parents. 

Will loved the kiddie pools full of rocks. 

Sweet Leo loves milk. Fun for all!! 

Miami Vices

In the clutches of winter, I went to Miami for a terrestrial bioaccumulation workshop. Excitement low on that, but there were many things about south Florida which presented more than I could handle.

 Like picadillo at Versaille, allegedly the worlds most famous Cuban restaurant.

 The sunrise view of Biscayne Bay from my hotel

 Microbrew sampler from the Titantic Pub, near the U of Miami.

 My hotel room's chaise lounge (with above view) made for a great working space.

 Time spent on a fishing boat with my friend Chris, even if we didn't catch any sailfish.

Seeing a Bentley and a Lamborghini at the red light.

More than a Lapful

She is definitely a hefty lap warmer, and purrs in spite of the dog being nearby.

Summer in South Africa

We channeled the warmer weather of the Southern Hemisphere with the most recent ethnic supper club--South Africa!! I have been holding onto spices and even beer from my Sept trip in anticipation of this dinner. Denise likely did a much more thorough job blogging, but shown here includes slider (not spider) monkeys, bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tay) which is a curry dish with more Malay influence, and finally my favorite, Malva pudding.

Grady Good Time

His moms went to a late lunch and I I spent a rain afternoon with one of my favorite guys. We watched Sesame Street and had snacks.

A Redneck in the Making

Donovan, my favorite (and only) nephew, was armed and outfitted for his future role as a hunter. I got him a youth sized bow and arrow set as well as these sweet camo bibs, and his grandparents got him a red rider bb gun. Look out world!