a slice of Europe - Belgian Beer Weekend.

Last weekend, as part of my 25th birthday celebration, Marius surprised me with a trip to Belgium for Belgian Beer Weekend! Our enjoyment of beer is like that of a wine connoisseur's enjoyment of wine. There is an expansive world of beer that reaches far beyond the American stereotypes associated with  the drink. Only in the last decade or so has the craft beer movement begun to overpower the watery, flavorless giants of the American industry. There are endless arrays of colors, aromas and flavors, for example amber hues or pitch black malt; floral hops or sweet caramel; spicy cloves or freshly toasted bread. Much as "foodies" or wine connoisseurs enjoy their wares, we also consider the enjoyment of beer a hobby.

A two hour drive brought us to the Grote Markt (Grand Place) of Brussels and the Bourse (Stock Exchange), where the event was held. The Gothic architecture all around us was absolutely stunning! There were dozens of breweries being represented in the Grote Markt, with over 300 different types of Belgian beer! Down the street was a huge beer bar with a different menu, and the Bourse that hosted food pairings. Instead of offering small two ounce samplings of beer, as is seen in the States, only full glasses were offered. Even considering such, we were surprised to discover how responsibility everyone at the event was drinking. We didn't see one person who was overly intoxicated, stumbling, or being rowdy. 

In addition to drinking quite a few beers both familiar and new to us, we got to see horse-drawn brewery carts, costumed representatives of the Belgian breweries, wonderful wandering musical groups, and a few historically significant reenactments involving beer. Nearby, there were dozens of small side streets, paved with cobblestone and cluttered with the tables and chairs of dozens of seemingly identical seafood restaurants. Instead of trying our luck with seafood while we were there (we both grew up right on the east coast, so we're rather picky about where we eat seafood), we left the event before the evening hours set in and opted for a lovely pizzeria, a great little crêpe restaurant, and even Belgian fast food! 

We stayed for two nights at a nice little hotel that offered a decent European style breakfast buffet, and a play area for kids. Iris discovered Rody the bouncy horse and fell in love. She did a great job while we were in Brussels, especially since the brewery tent area was very crowded and she had to stay in her stroller for safety's sake. She did really enjoy toddling around watching all the action on the cobblestone streets with Pooh, eating crêpes and going up and down on the glass elevator in our hotel. It was wonderful to have a little vacation that focused on one of our favorite hobbies, and it was also fun to have the opportunity to speak French again! What a great weekend, thank you my dear Marius! 

Grote Markt of Brussels, the huge square where the brewer's tents were located. 

Grote Markt of Brussels. 

Grote Markt of Brussels. 

Reading to a very patient Iris. 

Drinking Westvleteren Blonde.

Delirium Tremens representatives in a procession towards the Grand-Place.

A musical group passing us in the street.

The Brussels Bourse, where different beer and food pairings were served every hour.

Our beer samples paired with seafood, cheese and a chocolate dessert.

Inside the Bourse. 

Drinking our favorite new find, DeuS (Brut Des Flandres.) It is referred to as "a champagne beer" for good reason!

Two lambics (fruit beers), Oude Geuze and Kriek Mariage Parfait by Boon brewery.

Love and beer.

Drinking a limited hop edition of a favorite beer, Duvel.

Menu for the big bar near the brewers tents.

Bar near the brewer's tents.

Two of the beers we tried.

Historic brewer's carts that passed us on our way to lunch.

Another one of at least half a dozen carts that passed us.

Enjoying another favorite beer at a crêpe restaurant.

We gave Belgian fast food a try, which was delicious... and this was Iris' massive kid's meal and package of toys!

Iris and her new love, Rody! She will be so surprised when he magically shows up for her birthday!

Our souvenirs, most of which we will be aging over the next few years. 

The Kitty Goes to Germany, Part I, Long-winded Limericks.

There once was a cat named Kitty
whose adventures inspired this ditty -
a preposterous tale
which may become stale
as I recount and attempt to be witty.

In North Carolina it started,
the attempt to get this cat charted
on a plane to Deutschland,
though we hadn't planned
on such incidents as to make us faint-hearted.

He went to the veterinarian
(in his opinion, completely barbarian).
Many papers were signed;
we were officially inclined
to endorsement from the USDA Authoritarian.

For an hour and a half we drove
with a screaming young child, we strove
for an autograph and stamp
to officially replant
this cat to our new German grove.

We stopped at the local maze
(an airport - they cause such a craze,)
to gain the green light
that for shipping, he'd be all right
however his crate they did not appraise.

Another afternoon running around
but there was nary a cat crate to be found
At least three different shops,
all of them flops,
though we eventually bought something sound.

There was also the need for an expensive scanner
to display Kitty's microchip identity in a manner
that allowed the EU to read
that he was who he seemed,
and customs could wave the approval banner.

Throughout this somewhat hectic adventure,
which was already a real jaw-clencher,
we were dealing with movers
and all related maneuvers
to progress in our Germany-bound venture.

We dropped Kitty off with a friend,
for on our own flight it was time to ascend.
We had no clue
of the many jobs she'd accrue -
what would follow was surely not intended.



The End of Part I

currently.

Iris and Pooh bucked up for safety on our flight to Germany!

Located... in Germany! My family arrived in Germany about three days ago after a long 24 hours of traveling from North Carolina. Little Iris did a great job considering the circumstances. None of us got much sleep that day but transitioning to the +7 hours has since been fairly easy.

Reading... a new book called How to Raise Your Spirited Child, which I often found referenced online in relation to conscious parenting techniques. The author describes a spirited child as being one who seems, in one way or another, more "intense" than their peers. While Marius and I haven't exactly experienced trouble with parenting Iris, her mature emotions and personality can be baffling. Her fine motor skills and comprehension skills seem beyond the typical range. By picking up How to Raise Your Spirited Child, I hope to learn more constructive ways to understand and interact with her by letting her be herself, rather than inadvertently dampening her spirits.

Watching... Winnie the Pooh. This is Iris' new favorite thing in the world. After one viewing of the original movie, she knew to ask for "more Pooh!" We surprised her with a big Pooh stuffed animal when we boarded the 8 hour flight over the pond to Germany and she's just smitten with him.

Listening to... the sounds of the country; the breeze shifting leaves, foreign bird song, the all-around lack of urban drivel otherwise known as Quiet. We are currently residing in a hotel like place (which is actually more suitable to call an apartment) where Marius is now stationed. It has a full kitchen and living room, two bedrooms and bathroom. The living room has massive screened doors and windows. It's in the low 60's right now, but all of them are wide open to let us bask in the aura of this country, even whilst inside on a military base.

Anticipating... moving into our own home. We went house hunting for the first time yesterday and may have found our dream home. We were given two huge books of housing information by the housing office and I must have spent a collective three hours trying to sort through the hundreds of places listed there. One particular place called out to me as soon as I read it, and I kept going back to it, double starring it to denote that we needed to visit it. We called to make an appointment and got no answer. Later that day, after visiting two other duplex-style houses, we were about to call it quits for the day when they called us back! We arranged a time but due to road closures, the GPS routed us through the mountains on a logging road which was almost dangerous and ended in a dead-end. After an hour of trekking through the woods and other detours, we made it there. The house was built in the late 1700's next to the town's church. It was originally a parsonage, but is now owned by the church and rented out. It has two main floors with 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room, dining room, and a kitchen with new appliances. There is also a huge attic space, as well as a full cellar. It has that Old House Smell I love so much, creaky staircases, vastly high ceilings, some ancient looking tiled floors and an atmosphere of history. We are going back today and will very likely be making an agreement with the landlord!

Enjoying... some great German food! We went to our first German restaurant last night with our tour guide from yesterday (a coworker of Marius') and his wife. I ordered schnitzel with peppercorn sauce and cheese, while Marius ordered it with sauteed onions, tomatoes and cheese. So delicious and Iris loved it too! The food here is so much better than what is generally found in the States. I am unsure whether is has to do with the difference between normal and GMO food, or the land on which food is produced, or what have you... but the difference is profound. Marius thought I was crazy the night we got back from the commissary with some local strawberries and I said, "yes! Some real strawberries! They will be better than anything we've had in years!" He voiced his doubt over my exclamations, but upon my placing of a strawberry in his mouth, the marked expression of delight on his face was enough to prove my point.

Concerned about... our Kitty. He is still in North Carolina, having been unable to get on the flight that was supposed to bring him here two days after us. He is staying with a trusted friend, though I still miss him and worry about the stress that all of this change is putting on him. Dealing with his situation of having to be imported to Germany has been an absolute nightmare for us and our friend caring for him, between the regulations causing time issues and the expense. I will write more on this later, as it is a long story. As of this moment, he should be here next Thursday. We are all hoping that plans are not altered again by any other unforeseen circumstances.

Now that half of our moving process has been completed and we are finally overseas, I will have more time and attention to devote back here. I have missed writing and I surely have some updates about Iris to catch up on!

times they are a-changin'...

My love.

My love; my best friend; my husband has deployed to Iraq. 

He left on Tuesday for six months. 

We are all doing alright, but life is very different. 

Iris with her Papa's American Flag hat, which they both love so well.

Before he left, we celebrated Iris' early birthday party.
We spent lots of time together as a family and I hardly spent any time online.
We prepared physically and emotionally for his departure.

We also received orders to Germany!
We've both been to Europe already and have been hoping for this for years.
We'll be moving there when he gets home in the spring.

It's been pretty lonely around here without him, but we have friends here who have made the transition so much easier. Iris has had a few play dates already, and we've gone out to lunch a few times and to Trader Joe's and Hobby Lobby. I spent about 12 hours hand sewing a stuffed kitty for Iris. I'm going to keep busy with crafts, learning German, getting our things ready for moving to Europe and of course, raising the cutest little baby in the world. I'm so grateful that we have the internet and phones to be able to stay in touch with Marius. When I'm feeling sad, I just think about how not long ago he would have gone off to war and I'd have heard nothing from him for years, save a couple of letters. It really puts things into perspective and makes me realize how lucky we are to have this technology. I miss him, but we are still together no matter how far apart.

This is no longer only my personal blog to write about Iris and my life, but Marius' way of watching his baby girl grow up for the next six months. Our family; our love is strong, and so we shall remain.

a day at the pool in RI, part 2!

a day at the pool in RI, part 1!

our trip to RI.

This right here is how we spent the weekend - mostly on the couch! Our trip to RI involved a lot of running from one place to another to see family members. It was really great to see everyone, especially for me to see my cousins and aunts from around the country and the world (my family is very spread out). However, the experience was very draining. We were using my sister's car in 90 degree weather with no air conditioner but at least being near the ocean allowed for a nice natural breeze. We drove all around and between Providence, North Kingstown, Newport, Jamestown, East Greenwich, Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Marius got to meet my extended family for the first time. My grandmother's 90th birthday was celebrated by family from Bangkok, Europe, Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Canada, Arkansas, Oregon, and of course North Carolina and Rhode Island. Iris also met her great-grandfather, grandmother and great-grandmother on Marius' side.

We ate lots of delicious food including lobster at my parents', breakfasts at the Brickway restaurant,  Del's frozen lemonade and I also got my Dunkin Donuts iced-coffee fix! We took Iris to the beach but she slept through most of it. While I waded in the waves, she slumbered heavily against my chest wrapped tightly in her gauze sling. When she finally woke, I sat her on a blanket in the sand and she ignored everything but the young children running and squealing nearby. She also loved my cousins' young kids and got very excited about playing with them and their toy cars.

On our last day there, the three of us spent the day together in Wickford, RI. We both grew up in Rhode Island, but Wickford never gets old. It was refreshing to spend some time together just holding hands and browsing all the little shops. Marius bought me some new earrings which I can actually wear because they are so tiny (in other words, Iris would have a hard time ripping them out!).

Thank you to my parents for flying us up there, letting us use their car (even if it was nicknamed The Hot Box!), to my sisters for being so awesome and to everyone else who made our trip so enjoyable!

A special congratulations and thank you to my grandmother, Gina.

hello!

We are back from our week-long vacation to RI!

For some reason my scheduled "goodbye" post didn't publish, which I don't understand but oh well! I didn't even check my blog while I was gone, nor spend time on a computer - it was amazing! The visit to our home state was very busy but full of lovely people we haven't seen in a long time. We do wish we'd been able to stay longer - to visit with family more thoroughly and have some time to ourselves. Now that we're home, we are spending the weekend relaxing. I haven't even finished unpacking our things yet. We've been playing with Iris and the Kitty, and watching episodes of Smallville. Marius and I have gotten some time to ourselves too which has been much needed. More later on our trip to RI, how Iris scared the hell out of us, the new things she has learned and some great pictures. 

It is so good to be home!