Back in the Saddle Again...

Roy Lichtenstein, Cold Shoulder, 1963, oil on canvas.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Hello!

We're back from our trip out west.

We spent most of our time in Santa Monica...

We were there for a wedding.

It took place here,

at sunset.

It was an intimate, lovely, simple, elegant ceremony. Perfect for two architects.

We were fortunate to carve out some time to eat some very delicious food:

We ate here,

And here.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
It was delicious!

And we also saw quite a bit of art.

We went to the  LACMA, where I saw two pieces by Claes Oldenburg!

Giant Pool Balls, 1967, Fiberglass and metal.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The next day we decided to see if there were more Oldenburg sculptures in the LA area...

There was!

 (More on this later.)

We also went to the Getty Center, but that also deserves a post of its own.

I got some new shoes and also dipped my toes in the Pacific.

Needless to say, my weekend the perfect mix of relaxation and inspiration to get me going this autumnal season. 

Fall Into Reality

Hi.

I'm back on the blog, just in time for fall. It's been too long, but I'm back in Texas, getting adjusted to the United States and this heat again.

A few pics of the past month + some days...

In August, Mr. Wonderful and I took a trip through the best parts of Bavaria,

I bought a few new skirts...

(New blue skirt at the Heidelberg Castle in Germany).

Back in Texas...

We have been enjoying the last Dog Days of Summer.

We found a place to live.

 I started a new job and have been in search of the perfect cappuccino.

I've reconnected with familiar faces and places.

Baked cookies...

And made some things.

Tomorrow, I head west to LA LA land for a weekend trip and a wedding.

I'm pretty excited. 

I'm bringing lots of skirts. 

Amsterdam

A page created with my favorite 5 year old resident.

We ♥ Amsterdam for a few reasons...

Architecture

Friends

Museums

Van Gogh Museum

Anne Frank Museum

Artis

Keukenhof

Bike culture!

Windmills and design

The food!

Appletaart

Pancakes, this one had ginger and gouda cheese.

Herring

Hop on over there if you can. 

It's always a good trip. 

Vrijdag de dertiende

Thirteen in Amsterdam

 Because I like the way it sounds in Dutch. 

The Tenth

This may be my only update for the next few days...

Off to Amsterdam!

8.9.10

I wanted to do something special on this day because it's 8/9/10! I was originally supposed to fly home today, but once again, I chose adventure over practicalities. I have a few days left still, and that's not practical, it is a lovely gift.

Preparing to move 4,000 miles across the world is slightly challenging. I only have the baggage I brought with me, a few more clothes and art supplies than I started with and so many wonderful memories.

I've been getting rid of things here and there.

My plants were some of the last friends to go, but they all went. Hopefully to good homes.

This past weekend, I went to Musée Hergé in Louvain-la-Neuve. 

Louvain-la-Neuve, is about 20 minutes outside of Brussels and is the newest planned town in Europe - a city of concrete and modern design. Hergé is Belgium's beloved artist, write and creator of the Tin Tin comics.        (Click the links to learn more about their uniqueness.)

Exterior shot I.

Architect - Christian de Portzamparc

Prohibited interior shot.

Exterior shot II.

In the center of town...

Another Belgian specialty:

Colorful cuberdons - specialty candy that is impossible to export. 

Ahhh, the sweet life...

Ain't life grand?

YES, INDEED!

How sweet it is...

A photo for today...

In anticipation of the good things to come.

I'm thinking of changing the blog's appearance for the changes in life that are about to occur. That's not exactly one of the "good things to come" that I was thinking about. But now that I think about it - I guess it IS a good thing!

I want to create a new masthead, so I made this the other night.

Click the envelope to enlarge.

I like the idea, but I'm not really happy with it yet. I plan to make a few more...
What do you think?

Dear Belgium,

I went to the dentist yesterday.

He said I was doing a "good job."

So, I gave myself a gold star. 

Thanks for taking such good care of me, for the health and dental care, and the pure dark chocolate! I will miss it all, especially the health care.

Love,

Lydia

Cuando hace calor...

Translation: When it's hot, make gazpacho.

My friends and family in Texas are suffering today. The high is supposed to reach 40°C or 105°F, but I think it will get much hotter than that. I can't even imagine! 

Last month Belgium had a heat wave and it was "unbearably" hot - maybe 32°C or 90°F. I know, I know that's not really that hot in comparison, but there is no air conditioning in my apartment or the rest of the city for that matter. It was all I could do just to lay on the couch and surf the web. The witching hour was quickly approaching and I was not in the mood to cook anything, but I came across this recipe in the New York Times. I thought it was worth a try, and boy was I right!

The recipe is so easy to make and extremely delicious, especially the Pecorino toasts!

But beware: the garlic factor is INTENSE!

pero

¡Qué rico sabor!

Bram's Place in Belgium

A good photo for today, eh?

Bram is one of Jon's classmates and also an international equestrian jumper. We went to his farm just outside of Aalter on Sunday for a farewell BBQ - there are too many of these lately. It makes me sad. The house on Bram's property is not in the best condition, but it's perfect for him, also an architect - lots of plans and dreams. My photos didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, but here are a few from the day.

This colt was born May 12. He's such a cutie, but I already forgot his name.

I love this stove. Look at that story on the side! I think it's Three Billy Goat's Gruff.

Pretty pink patterned wall paper that will surely be peeled away one day...

Next door a tractor pulling festival was taking place.

Say what? 

Yup, tractor pulling. I have no idea what the point of it was, but it totally reminded me of the States.