Follow Me to Traben-Trarbach, Germany

 When you have a gorgeous three day weekend, you know you have to take advantage of it.  We decided to head to Germany one last time before our move, and do a little exploring.  Normally, my exploring is based on castles, but this time I wanted to just walk around one of the little towns along the Moselle River. A friend of mine recommended Traben-Trarbach, and we were not disappointed.  And guess what... there is a castle on the hillside above the town, so that's a bonus!  

 Traben-Trarbach is nestled between the hills, and lies along both banks of the Moselle River. Traben is on one side, and Trarbach is on the other.  The hillsides that aren't forest, are covered with vineyards. It's like something out of a fairy tale. 

 As an added bonus, they were having an antique car show along the banks of the river.  How awesome is that?  They had just about every type of vehicle that you can imagine.

 But this beauty was my favorite.  Isn't she stunning?  Couldn't you see me cruising around Ft. Walton Beach in this?  OK, I'd be too nervous to drive her, but I'd stare at her.  A lot.  I even told Russ that I would give up all my Polish Pottery if he bought her for me.  I expect them to deliver her any day now. 

 I picked out this little number for Jess.  It's the perfect car for a college gal.  When you're done driving it, you just put it in your pocket until you need it again.  The entire front of the car opens like a door so the driver can get in and out. 

 We had some fun taking pictures on the bridge.  Have you ever felt like someone was watching you?  Nah.  Me either. 

 And there is my patient and ever so tolerant hubby.  I'm not sure if he was admiring the view or pretending that he wasn't with the strange people taking lots of ridiculous pictures on the bridge. 

 We walked around the town some more, enjoying the beautiful architecture, and then it was time to head for home. 

 Check out this amazing view of the Moselle River.  This might just be the best view in all of Germany! 

 (I don't know why this picture jumped out of order, but here it is just the same.)

We had a fantastic day exploring beautiful Traben-Trarbach.  And we added another wonderful memory to our time in Europe.  Hope your weekend was just as great!

I Said Good-Bye To Slegers-Heise ... Really... This Time I mean It

 I've been without a vehicle for a little while now, so I've been doing chores around the house and not much else.  On Monday, I took Russ to work so I could have the car to run some errands.  I know it sounds suspicious, but that's really what happened.  I had to pick up the kids dental records, some groceries, and a few other things in preparation for our upcoming move.  I finished quicker than I expected, so I decided to just swing by Slegers for one last visit.  All of my furniture has been packed and shipped out, so it seemed like a pretty safe idea.  It's not like I was planning on buying anything, you know. 

 I took one last walk around the building, admiring the antiques and wishing I had room for that lovely carousel. I was just about to leave when I saw it. 

I know.  I already have 4 scales (packed and on their way to the states), but doesn't it drive you crazy to have things displayed in even numbers?  And it has a big "B" on it.  It's like it was made especially for me!  What?  Only 30 euros?    Ugh!  I was standing there, debating purchasing it, when my cell phone started ringing.  Seriously?  Were his Spidey senses tingling?  Is he having me followed?  Long story short, he said to just go for it.  Worst case, I'll just mail it to our new base.  I mean, it's not like I can just pop back over to my favorite antique store and pick up another one, right?  Hmmm.  I might have to think about that one.

Sleepy Sunday On The Canal

 The teenagers were sleeping late and doing whatever it is that teenagers do, so Russ and I took one last walk along the canal and visited a couple of my favorite spots.  I hope it's not really our last walk on the canal, but as busy as things are getting soon, that is probably the case.  It feels like we just moved in, and hopped on our bikes to explore the area.  The last 3 years have flown by.  As excited as I am to be going back to the states, I'm so sad to leave our pretty little town on the canal. 

 No more bike rides with the kids.  No more jogging and walking along the paths.  No more stopping for ice cream to cool off while we people watch (and they watch us right back). 

One more chapter in our lives is coming to an end.  We're so grateful that we had the opportunity to live in Belgium.  This was something we had never dreamed was possible, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

The Sezoens Rally

 With nothing left in the house to entertain us, Russ and I wandered around in search of excitement.  We didn't have to go far.  Around this time each year, Bocholt plays host to the Sezoens Rally.  The day before the race begins, all of the cars are on display throughout the centrum of  Bocholt.

 They pretend to be working on them, but there's more than a little showing off involved as well. 

After checking out all the cars on Friday, you can head back out there and cheer on your favorites as they race across the country side on Saturday.  What a great way to spend a lovely weekend in lovely Belgium! 

Pack 'Em Up And Ship 'Em Out

 Day One:  If I had to sum up our Belgian Movers in one word, it would have to be... IMPRESSIVE!  Of all our moves, this one seems to be the best by far.  They arrived early in the morning and seriously jobbed out.   They boxed up the entire first floor and a lot of the second before the kids even got out of school!  These guys are some packing machines.  And they have a great sense of humor.  I love what they did with our Grandfather clock.  The weather was so nice that they used their lunch hour to get some much needed sun in the backyard.  I don't blame them. It was a beautiful day!   

 Day Two:  The movers arrived bright and early once again and finished packing up the house.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature had some tricks up her sleeve.  Typical of the weather here, it quickly went from comfy to cold, sunny to cloudy, and then... it hailed.  A lot.  They were anywhere from pea size to marble size.  Then as quickly as it started, it stopped.  Of all the things here that I will miss, crazy weather is not one of them.  Sorry Belgie!

Day Three:  All of our belongings were quickly loaded up into crates and carted off.  There is nothing left but a few borrowed beds and a loaner couch.  It's kind of sad, but it's also very exciting.  It won't be long until we get to follow them back to the great US of A!  Until then, we sit in our chilly, echoing cavern of a house and wait.  And Russ dreams of the day he will see his baby (Harley) once again.  Provided, of course, that it doesn't become a man made reef at the bottom of the big blue sea.  Heh heh heh.  That will serve him right for saying that's what happened to my van a couple of weeks ago. ;0)

Find A Little Happiness In Every Day

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”   ― Albert Einstein

“You're off to Great Places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” 

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Pottery Class...Part Deux



Here they are.  My babies from my second round of Pottery Class are glazed, fired, and finally home.  I couldn't be more proud of them.  I tried to go more for quality than quantity this time, and I think I did pretty well.  I'm sure that most people try to master one thing, but I was all over the place with my creations.

This is my strawberry colander, and it's my pride and joy. I can't wait to try it out!  I swiped the idea from Kimberly.  She made one first, and the second I saw it, I knew I had to try it.   



Here are my candle holder, small vase, and plant holder.  The candle holder was sort of an experiment, and I almost trashed it.  (We call it "killing the baby" in class.)  After seeing it glazed, it's turned into one of my favorites. 

 These... are my butter bells.  Poor Danny didn't know what to make of these, but he was very patient and encouraging while I created them.  After I made the one on the right, Sarah told me that it looked like a mushroom.  I added the polka dots, and now it's a work of art.  I can't wait to display it on my kitchen counter!

And last, but not least, I made two more pitchers (pottery code for I can't seem to get the top even) and a coffee mug.  After seeing my last post, I'm sure you're asking yourself why on earth I would need another mug. Each week during class, we would stop half way through and take a coffee break.  Danny would set up a table for us (inside the shop if it was raining, or outside in the sun filled yard if it was not) and serve us fresh coffee and treats while we talked.   And we talked a lot.  We discussed everything from the differences of living in Belgium versus America, food, travel, television, and just about everything you can imagine.   And we laughed.  A lot.   During these breaks, we drank coffee out of mugs that Danny had made inside his shop.  I decided that I wanted to try to make a mug that looked like his, so I would always remember these fantastic days that I spent here.  These are some of the happiest memories that I have made in Belgium.  These are the things that I will miss the most when I leave. 

Hoarders Anonymous

 Did you ever have one of those dreams where you turned into one of those crazy people on that show about hoarders?  You know, those people who keep or collect things that they couldn't possibly really use or need?  And as soon as you try to get them to let go of their stuff, they turn into growling, angry animals who would do whatever it took to protect their precious collections?  

Nope.  Me neither.