Courtyard Snow

That's right, SNOW!
If it's going to be so ungodly cold, the least it could do is snow and make everything pretty.

This is what it looks like in our little "yard."  We are probably the only crazies who have clothes hung in the snow, thanks to Byron's experiment in weathering his jeans.  heh.  It made for some interesting pics.

Cochino wanted out.  And left kitty-sized prints in the snow on the steps.

And then promptly wanted in.

Last Weekend

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There was music.
Cave!  Made me freak out!

Vintage goodness (safe from the moths).

Reunions... oh, favorite boots, how I missed you!

Moules and champs outside.   (Not for me, I promptly went inside for a hot chocolate, but still.)  How festive!

Santa-caped dogs are already freaking out about the holidays.

He would barely sit still.

 Champagne-sponsored xmas trees.  (Don't mind this.)

Lights in the Sablon.

More lights.

And more.

Baby Jesus-themed xmas treats.  Not sure what the story is here...

And yums galore at Le Pain Quotidien.

Happiness Is Delicious

Now in easy steps!

 One.

Two.

Three.
Roasted romas = yummy goodness.

One.

Two.

 Three.

Four.
Chocolate chaud = comfort in a cup.

Tsumori Chisato

The meeting I had in Paris the other day was on Rue Barbette, which is the same street as Tsumori Chisato's store.  Of course I had to pop into the store afterward.  It is all aladdin's lamps and caravans and camels... just lovely!  I can't even begin to describe how incredible the black crepe with gold lurex jacquarded lamps, camels, etc. is.

And her legwear is always to die for.

*drool*

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving for two.  In Belgium.  For only 26 euros.  Believe it!

Turkey breast and mushroom-thyme stuffing, sauteed leeks and spinach, mashed potatoes, and chess pie.

 

Stuffing balls rule.

I am very thankful for this little crazy.

Chemical Warfare

Looks like I'm moving, hm?

Well, I'm not.  While I hate admitting this in a semi-public forum, let's consider it a public service as I have lots of friends who are fans of the vintage...

The moths are back.  And they mean business.

First off, if you weren't aware, the moths first popped up in Philly.  It was a random moth sighting here and there, but I didn't really think anything of it.  Me, have moths?  Surely not.  And then a wool Marc Jacobs dress was hit.  Right smack on the chest--a moth hole.  Those bastards.  I knew it was on.

I went about eradicating them--putting clothes in the freezer, getting almost everything dry cleaned (the things that weren't put in the freezer, that is), laying things out in the one directly sunny patch we had in our apartment, putting cedar blocks in the closets and drawers.  It was quite an effort and a maddening one at that.  I had to move the clothes in shifts so that the clothes that hadn't been cleaned yet weren't around those that had.  Oh, I'm boring you.  But it was a bunch of suck.

Things seemed to be calm on the moth front.  And then we moved.  Ain't no moths gonna make a transatlantic voyage, I thought.  What a dummy!  Moths are huge fans of dark spaces, like those of say a cardboard hanging garment box inside a shipping container.  They basically had an expenses-paid honeymoon of sweet moth lovin' compliments of yours truly.  They have spawned to high heaven and have regenerated here in Brussels!  Again, a bunch of suck.  I opened a rubbermaid container of winter hats and wondered why my gorgeous fox fur hat was so sheddy... and then I found (look away, those who are weak of stomach) two larva on another blue wool hat.  SICK.  What did I do?  I cried.  My beautiful, vintage things.  I felt defeated.  I threw things away and hung others outside in isolation.  The language I want to use is not fit for this forum.  I was sad/mad/all-of-it.

So today begins the second battle in my war on the moths.  And I'm pulling out all of the stops this time. There are chemicals involved.  The questionable garments have been isolated in sealed off bags with said chemicals to sit for 3 days.  I don't care about the smell, people.  This must be done.  The clothes must be saved.  This is my collection.  It's the only STUFF that really matters to me.  (Yeah, I know, it's just stuff, but this is the stuff I care about.)

The good thing is these are strictly clothes moths.  They don't care for food or anything else, so that's somewhat comforting.  The bad thing is, they are attracted to human smells, etc... so the perfume, etc attracts them.  Not cleaning things after every wear attracts them.  But we all know it's BAD to dry clean your things often--especially after each wear.  And I love perfume, even though I've rarely worn it since the moths came to roost.  So there's a wicked trade-off.  All I know is I want them gone, and I'm taking drastic measures to make it happen.

* I must note, these bags contain maybe 1/3 of my clothes.  I'm going to be bagging and isolating for a while, people.  A while.*

**Another note:  mothballs in French is boules des mites or you can just straight-up ask for naphtaline.  Boo-yah!**

Kouign Aman

I've found it!  I've finally found it!

The kouign aman had become my holy grail of pastries.  (It's a traditional Breton pastry.  Here's a brief history.)  I first read about it back in Philly, but it's hard to find in the states.  Then I started looking for it here in Brussels, to no avail.  (To be fair, I never really asked for it, I just peeked around at bakeries like the shy American girl I become when the tongue is not my native.)

And then.  Yesterday.  In Paris.

There was a market just across from the metro stop on Rue Rivoli and I had some time to waste before my train back to Brussels, so of course I went over.  The seafood was all beautifully laid out and there was a woman specializing in sheep's milk cheese (my fave), but it was the last booth I visited that was to hold my golden treasure.  I was half-looking at the baked goods on offer when the words caught my eye--kouign aman.  There it was!!!  In retrospect, it was so easy.

So how is it?

Let me tell you, it's magic.  (Especially warmed in the oven.)  It's like a sweeter croissant.  Or a cinnamon roll without the cinnamon.  It's got a caramelized sugar top, with a flakey buttery pastry.  Magic.

I know it's not much to convince you with some crappy iPhone pictures, but trust me on this one.  If you ever spy one of these beauties, do yourself a favor and snatch it up.  Go forth, friends, and find your own kouing aman.

Or here's David Leibowitz's recipe.  It just goes to show you how much love goes into making one.

Look What I Got!

A paper that says I'm here!  In Belgium!

Went to the commune/city hall yesterday to see Mr. Ferdaoui.  Had a 10:45 appointment with him, but he said he couldn't see us and deferred until today.  Went back today and submitted all of my papers.  It seems like everything is in order, but we'll see.  Everything he asked for, I had.  The relocation woman who went with me said it was the most complete file she'd ever seen.

Ticked and tied, ticked and tied.

So now I wait 2 weeks for my visa to come through.  Though I have a feeling it will not be that easy... or quick.

Stay tuned.

'Twerpen with Trace

First thing to do?  Get some croquettes!

This is the magical lighthouse of croquettes.  It is the beacon of fried goodness at the market.

And here are its delights!  We had cheese, Ganda ham and cheese, crevette (those mini grey shrimp), and pheasant foie gras with port.  The cheese and ham and cheese varieties tied for the title of favorite.  Mmmm....

Celery root as big as your head!

Snails/whelks/what-have-you.

Even the malls are pretty in Antwerp.

A chocolate zwarte piet with marzipan piggies.

You can see his clown face better in the white version.  More on zwarte piet later, I'm sure....

 A long-haired weiner dog outside H&M.

Snuggs!

Why can't this dress be in big people sizes?!?  I want the whole outfit!

Another dogger.

Crazy chocolate display, complete with moving boat.

Window beagle.  He looks creeped out by the photos overlooking him.  Poor guy.

This is Midas.  He is our new ATM friend.

He is a Seelyham Terrier.  Cute!

T & B at Fiskebar's oyster bar next door to their main resto.

Delicious grilled scallops.

Tsumori Chisato print.  Good for a winter's day.