About Me

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Antwerp, Belgium
Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!

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Heaven is in Belgium

Friday, September 25, 2009

Friday’s Fave Five, Sunny September

 

friday fave five 12

 

The last Fave Five of September, can you believe that?
Summers usually end early ion Belgium and we all know we should be grateful for every ray of sunshine we get in September. For every sunny blue sky instead of rain we hold our breaths and thank the weather gods. 

It’s as if we’re getting a refund or something for all the rainy Summers we’ve endured the last couple of years, it’s still sunny and lovely out here!! Yaaaay!!!

** Knocks on wood**


1. Because we KNOW sunny days are gifts from heaven, we took a day off last Friday to go on a photo walk together at the arboretum. We got some exercise, fresh air and photo practice all in one go! We had a lovely afternoon together.

2. Saturday morning was dedicated to photography as well, we had a group excursion to put the theory into practice. I made a load of crappy pictures, but I learned a lot.

3. I was up very early on Sunday. It was a bit foggy, and that inspired me to grab my camera to try and catch that mysterious misty atmosphere. When I left the house I gasped seeing this gorgeous sunrise, and I hurried to the canal to capture it. I arrived just in time to make one photo before it disappeared. The village was still asleep and I enjoyed the silence and the peacefulness of this early morning walk.

4. On Tuesday, I had some fun in the kitchen preparing the quince. It was lovely to watch how they got the most beautiful rosy blush as the scent of vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon filled the house. It was a lot of work, quince are very hard, cutting them and coring them was almost like a work out but it was worth it!
The jam and quince paste I made that same day taste delicious as well.

5. Yesterday afternoon I had a pedicure appointment. I little bit of luxury I indulge myself once a month. Over the years, Anne has become a friend and our monthly get together is so much more than just a pedicure routine. It’s so relaxing to just sit back while being spoiled and pampered. A cup of coffee, with a little chocolate on the side, a little foot massage, some nail polish … and some girl talk. Thanks Anne!

 

My week was wonderful as you can see. It went by much too fast, as usual.
How was yours?

Visit Susanne’s Living to Tell the Story to read more Fave Five posts.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Am I going to be the first to comment? I better hurry up and type LOL. What an excellent week my friend. I couldn't do the foot thing...too ticklish. LOL. What a beautiful collage my Belgian Bombshell. I hope that's how you spell that word. Have a wonderful Friday :) Aloha

Loree said...

I envy you that walk on a misty morning. Mist makes everything look so mysterious and different. I love it but we don't get it very often.

Wanda..... said...

Jientje, it looks as if the tree branch has reached out to capture the sun...my week was nice. I even rescued a turtle!

moneythoughts said...

You do live in heaven, just as the name of your blog says.

Melli said...

I envy you that misty day! We don't often get fog or mist - and when we do, I doubt I could make it to the river in time to catch a NICE shot of it! Though maybe... if Mom were not up yet...

You will find, when you are here, that she really is NOT much trouble at all. Though you may be annoyed by how sloooowly we have to move! Any kind of WALK with mom takes on a whole new meaning! LOL!

Unknown said...

You are the MOST wonderful photographer!! I LOVE that picture of the boats.

Susanne said...

Love your misty, grey pictures of the canal. So gorgeous.

I have never had quince and wouldn't have a clue how to cook it.

Great 5! Have a great weekend!

kayerj said...

enjoy the sun!

Lisa notes... said...

What a great way to spend a sunny afternoon! Your photographs are always so beautiful. I can't imagine you taking bad ones. I'm sure your jam & quince paste is delicious.

Kari said...

What a great week. I really do like your pictures. Especially the sunrise.
Happy Weekend.

Betty W said...

Seems like the perfect week to me! Having a day off with hubby, sunshine, photos and a pedicure! Sounds great!

Unknown said...

WOW nice pics once again! I am off to see the "Little Rascals" and watch Owen play soccer tomorrow. It is a 4 hour drive but well worth the day we get to spend with them! I will have some fun pics to share on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend. Someday I will learn how to mosaic my pics....I have tried following your instructions to no avail! Must have serious NO "learn something new" skills! Maybe when I have lots of time I can try again...

Carrie said...

I love the photo practice though! It's kinda fun and relaxing, giving you a chance to explore a little.

Enjoyed your Friday Favs.

Unknown said...

Photos and pedicures...what could be better! Have a great weekend!

quilly said...

I love your collage. What a great week you've had. I hope your sunshine stays a bit longer. Maybe while you're here we'll get up early enough to trek to the other side of the island before the sun comes up so we can get sunrise photos.

Jerralea said...

Love your photo collage.

I've only had a pedicure once. I enjoyed it, but it's too hard for me to sit there that long!

Jientje said...

@ Thom: So am I, very ticklish, but Anne does a great job, she's the only one who can touch my feet!
@ Loree: Fog like this is rather rare over here too. I love that mysterious atmosphere a lot.
@ Wanda : I'm glad you had a great week, rescuing turtles is certainly a good thing!
@ moneythoughts : Fred, Heaven is where you find it. That's what I always say.
@ Melli : I'm anxious to meet Mom. I think she's sweet.And if she walks slowly, that gives me plenty of time to make pictures!!! I don't mind!!
@ Lou: The fog added so much mystery here. Glad you like it!
@ Susanne : I did not have a clue how to proceed either, but on line recipe books and the Internet answered all my questions!
@ kaye : You bet!
@ Lisa notes: The jam is delicious, although I have too much of it! And I DO take bad pictures, believe me!!! I just don't publish them!
@ Kari : Have a great weekend yourself Kari!
@ Betty : Yes, it was a great week. Thanks!
@ Linda Higgins: I'd LOVE to see Owen play soccer myself! I think it's well worth a four hour drive!! I'm looking forwad to see the pictures.It's really not so hard once you get the hang of it. Do you use Photoscape? Super easy!! And FREE!
@ Carrie : I could not live without my camera!
@ Beth : Have a great weekend Beth!
@ quilly: The sunshine should last at least until after this weekend, and I'm going to enjoy it. Ooooh and about the sunrise pictures: YES PLEASE!!!! Ooooh, I'd LOVE to do that!!!
@ Jerralea : It's often an hour of relaxation for me. A moment to sit back and do nothing!!

Gattina said...

Nicely busy week ! I spoil myself to with pedicure and we are also chatting a lot !
Your are very friendly when you say that summer stops early in Belgium, usually it never starts ! This year was really an exception and it doesn't seem to end ! For me it could last the whole year like that !

Nessa said...

I do a once a month pedicure with my daughter. An hour of really quality time.

Unknown said...

Lovely to have a longer summer in Europe!
I enjoyed the wonderful sunny days too :)
Have a great (and sunny) weekend!

Unknown said...

What a fun week! Love the sunshine too - we don't get much this time of year either - and I am thankful for every day of sun too!

Marg said...

I loved looking at your photos. You have one fantastic eye...and you know what to do with it.
The pedicure sounds the best...I had a massage today...now a glass of wine...

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