Friday’s Fave Five, Where Did That Week Go?

 

Where did that week go? It’s a good thing I’m participating in this meme to look back at the week that has passed. Time seems to fly by so fast those beautiful moments would risk fading into oblivion if it wasn’t for Friday’s Fave Five.

1. Our Easter brunch. Healthy and low calorie food, perfect for our diet.  We had celery and radishes with a low fat cheese and herb dip, salsify with smoked pork, scrambled eggs on toast and oatmeal pancakes with strawberries for dessert.

2. The first asparagus of the season. None taste better than the first!
3. That cute terrine with the duck I bought at the garden fair. A unique piece at a very reasonable price, I even got it 3 Euros cheaper!
You can see better pictures of it here.
4. Oysters and champagne, a delicious treat at the garden fair. I LOVE oysters!
5. No chocolate for us this year, as we’re both on a diet. Instead my hubby got me these long lasting orchid flowers as an Easter gift.

Thursdays is for doors …

No. In case you’re wondering, no, I did not go any further than this. I might have been trespassing when I walked into the little alleyway leading up to these doors but I used my camera as an excuse. I must have looked like a tourist with my Big Guy hanging around my neck and it suited me just fine. I was so ready to play that role if someone had objected to my presence there! A door opening into another door is one of my favorite subjects so I really could not resist taking a good shot at this!
This photo was taken two weeks ago, in Bruges.

Find more windows and doors from around the world at Mary’s Window Views.

Midweek Blues, Collector’s Item

 

 

For this week’s Midweek Blues I’m sharing this terrine, which is the latest addition to my collection of old kitchen ware. I was able to buy this at a good price (I got a three Euro discount) at the garden fair we visited last Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

Midweek Blues is hosted by Rebecca at the Dusty Cellar.

If it’s Ruby, then it must be Tuesday?

 

 

 

 

No need for umbrella’s today, it’s a beautiful bright and sunny day here in Belgium. This polka dotted shop entrance made me smile and I LOVE the umbrellas on display.
I’ll bet they can make any rainy day seem bright and sunny, don’t you agree?

 

 

More Ruby Tuesday posts at Mary’s Work of the Poet.

Happy Easter!!

 

 

I’m taking the weekend off, I’ll be back on Tuesday.
Happy Easter everybody!

Friday’s Fave Five

 

 

It’s Friday again. Good Friday. Time to share some of the favorite things from the past week. It’s been a pretty uneventful week around here, not much has happened, but I always find it amazing how many little things lift your spirit and make your day!

 

1. The weather has not been very cooperative this last week. It’s been cold and windy, with some spells of rain. Luckily enough, we also got some sun. And it looks like the sun has made my herb garden grow. The little sprouts in my pots tell me I’m going to be able to use some of it in my dishes real soon. That’s something I always look forward to, Summer cuisine with fresh herbs from my garden!
2. I made oatmeal pancakes for breakfast last Sunday. They were delicious!
3. I finally found that birdfeeder I have been looking for for months! The birds had wrecked my old one and it was hard to find a similar one. But sometimes you find what you’ve been looking for when and where you least expect it to! I call that a little gift from Heaven!
4. Loads and loads of colorful veggies for lunch and supper. We’re both trying to loose some weight and a colorful salad at the beginning of a meal keeps the hunger down. Good looking food is very important to me, that’s why I love to play with all the different colors and textures.
5. Noir Orange chocolate as a little treat with my coffee. Dark chocolate with that intense orange flavor. Mmmm.

Happy Easter to all of you!
Friday’s Fave Five is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Poeke Castle Visited …

Today I want to take you inside Poeke Castle.
Let’s start with a little history lesson first…

“It is unknown when the first fortification was constructed at Poeke, but references to it appear from 1139 onwards.

During the revolt of Ghent in 1452 against Philip the Good, the castle was taken by the Ghent militia. On 5 July 1452 Philip retook it, and had the Ghent militia present executed and the castle destroyed. Rebuilding it most likely took over a century.

In 1872, Baron Victor Pycke de Peteghem (1835 - 1875 bought the estates. He immediately initiated rebuilding works that lasted until 1875. The third building layer was integrated in a higher roof, and the interior and the gardens were renovated. There hardly remain any elements dating from before 1872. Additionally, the French garden was turned into an English garden.

Baroness Ines Pycke de Peteghem, was the last resident and owner of the castle.
In 1977 the castle and its 56 ha. park became the property of the municipality of Aalter, which now uses it for cultural meetings and festivities.” (Source Wikipedia)

Now … let’s have a look inside, shall we?


The servants staircase leads us to the first floor.

The weather was not that bright that day, but I was very happy I was able to use the natural light for my photo shoot and I really like how the beige colors of the interior almost turn them into natural sepias.
To the left is this gallery with statues of “historic figures” in each corner.

I’m not sure who they were though, I’m a sucker for names and data!

Let’s get inside one of the rooms.

Sorry about the mess, the place is still being redecorated and restored.

Great views all around …

Let’s get back to where we came from, but we’ll use the main staircase this time.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

Window Views and Sepia Scenes are hosted by Mary the Teach. Thank you Mary!