Let me just say, I'm a pretty low maintenance gal. On our first anniversary, we celebrated with dinner out on the town...at the local Sonic drive
thru.
Foot long chili cheese
coney and fries. Don't hate the hubby, he told me I could pick anywhere I wanted, and that was it. What can I say? I like what I like.
When the hubby asked me what I wanted to do yesterday, I replied "I want to eat lunch at a castle." (He didn't even flinch. He's getting used to my unusual requests since we moved here.) "Sure, where is it?" He replied. Now if you had told me six months ago that I'd be having this conversation with the hubby, I would have laughed...hard!
Ter Dolen Castle is a local brewery and cafe in a 16
th century castle. They make the best
Kriek that I've had here. That's the cherry women's beer--it's tastes like an American wine cooler, but SO much better. The cafe serves light food and snacks, and is inside the courtyard of the castle.
It's on a quiet, tree lined country lane. The only sounds you hear are the soft breezes rustling the leaves while birds chirp and flutter from branch to branch. It's paradise. Locals ride their bikes over for a relaxing meal and a drink or two. The castle itself is a private residence, so it's not open to tours, but one section of it is a Bed and Breakfast. I am attaching a link at the bottom of this post, so you can check it out for yourself.
It was an added bonus that our waiter was a good looking young Belgium, who spoke perfect English and translated the menu for us. Good looking waiter equals happy teenager. Happy teenager equals happy family. Life is good. If you need me, I'll be down at the local castle, sipping my cherry
Kriek and listening to the birds. Yep, life is good. I could get used to this.
http://www.terdolen.be/
I guess my fascination with castles is finally paying off. It looks like we're moving into one. Well, maybe not officially a castle, but it's close enough for me! Can't you just see these stairs leading up to an ivory tower? (That's where we are locking up our princess to keep her away from all those Belgium boys.) 
This is our front entry. Doesn't that space beside the stairs just scream out for a set of knight's armor? Of course it does! (Someone is going to have to hit the antique shops!) I wonder if he will fit into the trunk, or if I will just buckle him into the seat beside me as we cruise the countryside. I'm sure he would appreciate the feel of the wind whistling through his visor. 
I've already found him a noble steed in training. This fine young fellow is a spring colt who lives down the road from our castle. He's a handsome devil, isn't he? He wasn't sure what to think of the crazy American who stopped to take his picture. Apparently the locals don't do that sort of thing. Go figure! That's OK. By the end of the year, I'll have him posing like a professional. I don't have my trusty moose, Bob, to photograph any more, so he will just have to get used to it. 
If I could choose one thing that I've always want to see in person, it would have to be a castle. Today, I got my chance. We headed about 45 minutes away to Alden Biesen. It was worth the wait. It was beautiful. Alden Biesen is a 13th century mediecal castle, who's roots start back in 1220. That was when they received the land on which it stands. Slowly, over hundreds of years, the structures were added. 
There is a beautiful church on the grounds. They were having a wedding there today. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting. Beside the castle is a lovely little cafe where we had our lunch. Grilled chicken salad, with fresh vegetables and sliced pears on the side. If this is what European life is all about, sign me up.