September 1, 2014

Hej!

It's hard to believe my last post was on December 1st, exactly 9 months ago! So much has happened since then! A lot of ground has been covered and our lives have totally changed.
August 31, 2014. 40 weeks +1 day
We've been in our new home in Göteborg, Sweden for almost 2 months. Jon and I moved here from Leuven, Belgium on July 4th. It's been really nice, albeit a bit lonely for me. There's not much a 9 month old pregnant lady can or wants to do at this point. However, from what I can tell, I think I am going to like it here. I've been meaning to write and share more on this space. Originally I thought I would do a photo dump from August for this post, but I think I'll just start from the beginning of this particular adventure. I tend to want to write and share everything, but seeing as how this is a new start and how busy our lives are about to become I think I'll keep it simple for now. I'll just start with a few photos for this post.

For me, these next two pictures pretty much sum up the very beginning of our new life in Sweden:
Breakfast at Two Little Birds
After a three day layover in London, we woke up Friday, July 4th in Göteborg, Sweden - our final destination for the next four years. We were eager to move into our apartment, which would be ready later that day. Our AirBnB apartment came with complimentary breakfast at Two Little Birds Café, a quaint eco-café/gallery with a unique vintage vibe. Breakfast was very good and simple, in fact I still think about it - fresh fruit, yogurt, crusty artisan bread with cheese and a delicious cup of Earl Grey tea. I was relieved to eat such fresh and healthy food in my new town. I was a little concerned about moving away from the weekly markets that I had grown accustomed to in Leuven. It's no coincidence that since we've moved to Sweden, Jon and I have been eating some of the best meals we have ever cooked!

Later that afternoon, the owners of the apartment that we are subletting from for the next two years called to say that the apartment was ready and we could come any time. We hauled our three suitcases and selves over to Guldheden, where I set eyes upon my new home for the first time.
I live here! Somewhere near the top. 
The day I moved in was my first visit to my new home. There was no time to mourn the loss of our adorable attic apartment in Leuven, there was not even time to imagine a transition. This was it! Jon and I have done moves like this before, and it felt like the beginning of an exciting adventure.

"It's not much to look at... At least the colour is nice," I thought.  I've never lived in anything quite like this building before.
What this building lacks in appearance on the outside, it more than makes up for it on the inside. The interior of our space is so cozy and light filled. And we have so much space!
We've spent the past two months getting settled in our home and the Swedish system. There were a few hiccups along the road, but that's to be expected when moving to another country. In the end, everything has worked out. Most recently, our main focus has been getting things ready for our little girl who is currently two days past her official due date.

Here is a picture of her room - a work in progress, but ready for her arrival!
I hope to share more soon.

December 1, 2013

The First

The first photo of #Belgianbeeradvent 


June 14, 2013

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

It's been a whirlwind couple of days. I went for two days to Manchester, England by plane and train. Today from Belgium, I leave for the south of France (I have always wanted to say that) by automobile. I'm going on my first European road trip.

I'll be back next Saturday to post photos, details and projects.

Au revoir!

June 10, 2013

One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today, my best friend and I had a wedding celebration.
It was a hot day in Dallas, Texas. One of the happiest days of my life. 

We had pie. 

We had art installed.

We had family and friends there. 

We had a mariachi trio.

We had Mickey hands.
It was pretty much perfect.

June 9, 2013

Make 52: Week 11

This past week has kept me busy cleaning and organizing. I was able to make a few things. They may not be much to look at, but they were delicious to eat.

11. A. Vegetarian tacos and homemade guacamole.
I made the guacamole just how I remember it from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - avocado with chopped cucumbers and fresh garlic. The taco mixture is corn, red beans, sauteed onions and flacons de soja (TVP). 
 11.B. Ladies' Night Mac and Cheese
I made this with a friend Wednesday night. We used this recipe as a guide - cutting the amount of butter and milk by half. Then we watched Pretty Woman on Flemish TV. It was a good night!
 11. C. Fried eggs x 4.
I'm working on it. 
11.D. A little bit of this, a little bit of that carrot salad.
I had about 8 carrots that needed to be used in my fridge. It took about an hour to grate them all. Then I added a few raisins and some chopped dates for sweetness, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and the tiniest bit of mayonnaise. I think a little bit of fresh ginger would also go really well with this. 

365 Photos: Days 154 - 160

Am I all caught up now?
Day 154: Monday, June 3
KU Leuven doctors' waiting room.
Getting my eyes checked. 
Day 155: Tuesday, June 4
Ik hou van mijn snoepjes.
"I love my candy."
Especially the Haribo variety.
Day 156: Wednesday, June 5
"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes..." 
My heart was heavy this day.
Day 157: Thursday, June 6
Leffe at the city library? Don't mind if I do.
Day 158: Friday, June 7
Such lovely weather this past week! I had to get out and soak up some rays. 

Day 159: Saturday, June 8
This guy has been hanging around the Leuven market for a few weeks now. I finally saw the spectacle for myself. 

Day 160: Sunday, June 9
New knitting project!

June 8, 2013

365 Photos: Days 147 - 153

Day 147: Monday, May 27
Sunny sewing on the terrace today. 
Day 148: Tuesday, May 28
Coming home to Leuven from Brussels. I'm lucky to pass through the center of town almost every day. 
Day 149: Wednesday, May 19
Getting organized.
Day 150: Thursday, May 30
After 8 pm in Leuven. The shops are closed and the sun is still shining. 
Day 151: Friday, May 31
BAEF official tie.
Day 152: Saturday, June 1
Shopping in Antwerp. 
Day 153: Sunday, June 2
The rubber band popped off of the floss cards like that, so I thought I would stage a picture. 

June 7, 2013

365 Photos: Days 140 - 146

Day 140:  Monday, May 20
Tu as fait les exercises?
~ Oui, j'ai fait les exercises.
Studying for my French exam. 
Day 141: Tuesday, May 21
Finally finished reading Brave New World
Hope to write about it here on the blog. 
Day 142: Wednesday, May 22
Wearing my lucky charms and my favorite shirt for my exam. I needed all the help I could get. 
Day 143: Thursday, May 23
Amigurumi animals at my favorite store in all of Europe.
Day 144: Friday, May 24
A lovely day in Leuven, ends with a short cut through the Kruidtuin (Botanical Garden).
Day 145: Saturday, May 25
Pool Party in Paal, where we started singing 'Mexican Lucky'.
Day 146: Sunday, May 26
Tiger bike on laundry day. 

365 Photos: Days 133 - 139

Day 133: Monday, May 13
I was on my way back 'home'.
Day 134: Tuesday, May 14
Yay! I'm home! 
Boo! Jet lag.
Day 135: Wednesday, May 15
Quick trip to Cologne, Germany to see a dear friend
Day 136: Thursday, May 16
Enjoying my favorite tea from the US. 
Day 137: Friday, May 17
Stoemp and salad - mostly made from our student veggie bag. 
Day 138: Saturday, May 18
Leuven Stadhuis (town hall) in early evening light.
Day 139: Sunday, May 19
Drinkwaterstraat in Leuven at dusk.

June 6, 2013

365 Photos: Days 126 - 132

Day 126: Monday, May 6 
I spent the day shopping with my mom. We may have gone here twice in one day.
Day 127: Tuesday, May 7
Sick selfie on a sunny day. Just after my interview. 
Day 128: Wednesday, May 8
At last! A pedicure!
 In the end, I was too scared to go with sparkly aqua and just ended up getting a nice safe nude color. 
Day 129: Thursday, May 9
Horchata - the only think my stomach could tolerate that week.
Why yes! That is a tiny Converse key chain!
Day 130: Friday, May 10
Naomi and Daniel get married!
Day 131: Saturday, May 11
This pretty much sums up my day - driving and and going out in Dallas later that night.
Day 132: Sunday, May 12
Mother's Day
Me and my mommy.