trick or treating in Tervuren

We did it! We trick-or-treated in our neighborhood at 6.oo pm this evening, and the kids had a blast. We numbered 11 in total: my Portuguese neighbor Fernanda and her 3 boys, 2 Flemish neighbor kids, and a little German girl from Thijs's class (princess).

With little warning we descended on our neighbors with hoops and howls and all kinds of noises. Usually they weren't prepared to receive us (since Halloween isn't a Belgian tradition) but made do with whatever they could find in their kitchen or wallet (4 euro!). The dark Cote d'Or chocolate was a real treat!

Fernanda told me her son Luca had been looking forward to trick-or-treating because it would make him feel like an American, or something along those lines. Funny, isn't it, the impressions kids have of Americans and where they get them.
 

missing nana and grandaddy

Had a great time with Mom and Dad, and it's taken some time to readjust since they left. They were here for 2 weeks and became permanent fixtures in the household, w/ walking the kids to/from school, taking them to gymnastics/ ballet/ the playground, going to see Phoebe's kindergarten play Sneeuwitje (this photo), working in the garden, doing tai chi with me, drinking lots of Leffe and enjoying the most tasty meals, like coq au vin, leek soup, beef carbonnades, mussels in Brussels!

For some days after Nana and Grandaddy left, the kids kept asking if they'd be picking them up from school or meeting them at the playground. Maybe they thought they were hiking again in France and would soon return. Or maybe they got so used to having them as a part of their daily lives and routine, which was the best part for all of us (although I loved our trips to Waterloo and Brugges). At any rate, the kids said again and again how much they missed Nana and Grandaddy. Next time they'll have to stay longer. Thanks again for your wonderful visit, Mom and Dad!


 

a duo for Cirque du Soleil?

 

nana and grandaddy?

Who would've thought that by wearing a pumpkin on his head (last ditch effort), grandaddy would earn the privilege of being body-slammed by a Flemish man dressed as a pumpkin (kindred spirit!) performing in the Halloween Wandeling in Tervuren?

Will that be something he remembers when he turns 95?

The kids wanted to know if Nana's hair was real.

Halloween Wandeling

Here we are ready to take off on a Belgian style haunted walk in the woods called the Halloween Wandeling (w nana + grandaddy and my Dutch friend Corien and her kids Rein and Floortje).

The city organizes the event, which involves a leader taking a group for a walk in the woods with about 5 scary skits/stories being performed in Flemish. Ghosts, witches and goblins jump out from behind the trees and everyone gets a thrill.

Actually, the best part of this year's wandeling was when nana and grandaddy jumped out from behind bushes on our walk home! Dad also enjoyed being body-slammed by a human pumpkin! See previous post to understand why-

Typical of the Belgian style, there's always food, drinks and music to top off the evening. The walk ended with a beer/bratwoorst tent and a band playing and laser lights illuminating a centuries-old chapel. I love seeing how the Belgians embrace the Halloween tradition!  

Phoebe as Sneeuwitje/Heks

In her debut, Phoebe appeared both as Sneeuwitje (Snow White) and as the Heks (Witch) in the kindergarten play. There were actually 3 girls who volunteered to play Snow White. Phoebe started off first and the other girls substituted later. She wore a black witch costume underneath, and with a black scarf on her head, she transformed into a witch in seconds.

I wondered if she'd be nervous because there was a sizeable audience, plus the first graders were invited to watch the show, but Phoebe marched out without hesitation. You could tell they'd practiced a lot cuz they all did a splendid job. We especially loved Phoebe's witchy voice - heh, heh, heh!  

chicken and udon in ginger, thai basil and lime broth

Udon is a thick, spaghetti-like Japanese noodle that you can find in most major supermarkets. We love this recipe and our kids do too and it's so easy to make, which makes it an all-around winner. I thought you might enjoy it too so decided to share it with you. Enjoy!

6 c. chicken broth
2 inches fresh ginger, unpeeled + roughly chopped
2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp. lime juice (about 2 limes)
1.5 tsp. kosher salt
pinch hot pepper flakes
4 Thai or regular basil leaves, plus more for garnish
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 full breast)
1 package (12 oz.) udon, cooked according to package instructions

1. In a large pot, combine broth, ginger, soy sauce, lime juice, salt, pepper flakes, and basil leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 mins. Add chicken breast and simmer 15 more mins. Remove chicken from broth and transfer to a cutting board. Allow to cool, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

2. Meanwhile, strain broth and discard solids. Season w additional salt if desired. In each of 4 bowls, mound 1/2 cup cooked noodles and top with 3 or 4 chicken slices. Pour hot broth over top. Garnish with few basil leaves and DIG IN! If you have any leftover, it's even better after 24 h as the ginger intensifies and develops a richer, fuller soup broth. Gevaarlijk lekker (dangerously good)!

a sacred spot in my garden

 

like peas and carrots

 

zwaarste pompoenen wedstrijd

This weekend we ventured to Duisburg, a small town just 3 km from Tervuren, where supposedly some farmer had grown the biggest pumpkin in the world in 2005 (but the internet claimed otherwise, so I don't know who/what to believe anymore). We had to check it out.

Yes, as you can see by the look of those mamas sitting behind us, they were huge. If they were hollowed out, the kids could've climbed inside and played house! Now that would be a fun + practical way to use them. But come to think of it, what do they do with these silly things after weighing them? Use them as lawn ornaments? Practice drawing still lifes?

It just seems funny to me that this is the second time our family has lived within biking distance of FAT pumpkin growers (Canfield, Ohio has several pumpkins in the 1,000+ pound club!). It seems like a strange hobby to me, esp. since you can't eat those things. Or are they edible? Maybe I ought to organize a pumpkin carving contest next year!
 

end of innocence

This is Phoebe's view of the world. It's filled with hearts of all colors, shapes, and sizes and females in long, flowing robes with long, flowing hair that exudes boundless energy.

I couldn't believe it when I read the news this evening -- a third school shooting on American soil and more young girls dead plus a school principal. What the he-- is going on?

Granted, there are wierdos around the world, but most don't have easy access to firearms. If you took away the weapons, wouldn't it make it harder to commit these crimes?

Who's to blame? The quality of life in America is being eroded. Takes 2 careers to have that mega dream house, multilevel gas grill, luxury lifestyle, but outsource the kids to the media, the computer and don't give them your time and energy. Are we raising our kids to be responsible citizens or are we trusting that they'll just turn out okay?

So why not eat dinner with your kid(s) tonight. Give them a bath. Read them books. Just be with them and give them love. Half the world's problems would be solved if we raised our children more deliberately and responsibly and lived more simply.

And if you don't agree with any of this, don't hesitate to express your thoughts. I won't fire you like the leader of our nation would for having a different opinion!

no. 136 paapje or whinchat

Seen in Bezinkingsputten, Tienen, during trektellingdag (migration count day) with the Oost-Brabant Vogelwerkgroep.

Whereas most of the species (meadow pipits, reed buntings, chaffinchs, skylarks) were only heard/seen in flight (not optimal if you've never seen the birds before!), this one was spotted and viewed in a spotting scope, and it happened to be mine. A beautiful little songster and a beautiful little view.

no. 130 ijsvogel

About fell out of the boat when this kingfisher jumped off its perch and began flying down the waterway in the Biesbosch in Holland, home of the largest freshwater marsh in Europe. Without thinking I began cursing ecstatically and jumping up and down, hoping to catch another glimpse of it and show it to Stijn and the kids. It had the most brilliant irridescent blue back and greenish wings. Smaller than the Belted kingfisher in N.A. and with a more gentle, higher pitched 2-part vocalization. This was one sweet find.