Jet lag, carbonnade, and the North Sea

I made it! I pushed through the anxiety of preparation, to the determination of travel, to the exhaustion of looooong flights, to the sigh of relief of finally making it to Brussels. 

The Lord was looking out for me from the beginning as I left my brand new iPad at the security checkpoint in Albuquerque and didn't even realize it until the girl that was behind me brought it over to me while I was reassembling all my things. Thank God for kind strangers!!! 

I slept almost the whole way to Atlanta; just woke up for the coffee service and then went right back to sleep (very Katina of me, I might say).  I had strange dreams that I was back at work since I was near the back and one of the flight attendants that kept talking looked a bit and sounded a lot like my old district manager from Starbucks. 

                                   

My long layover in Atlanta was made entertaining by people watching and enjoyng a flamboyant server say, "welcome to freshens!" every two minutes. It's funny what I find entertaining when I am sleep deprived. 

The flight was long and restless, but I finally made it at 8:30am Belgian time, which totally threw me off. After getting settled and a quick tour of the house I went into a 10 hour sleep coma. I wasn't planning on it, but I think I needed it badly. 

I woke up around 8pm and then Norma took me out to the garden to pick lettuce, tomatoes, parsley, radishes, and chives for a salad; then raspberries and strawberries for dessert. She also cooked a Swiss sausage and potatoes for me. It was the freshest meal I have ever had! What a delight to pick your own dinner from the garden! 

                                  

                        

I went to to bed again happy, full, and utterly spoiled! (Norma says "that's the whole point!") 

       

   Hans knocked on my door this morning with fresh Swiss coffee! Probably the best I have ever had!

Today was Norma's birthday so we had a fun full day. We drove out to Nieuwpoort to have lunch with Norma's friend Astrid (who was a delight and a blessing). 

                                

    

I got to try a staple Belgian dish at Feu D'or called "vlaamse carbonnade." It was fantastic. Similar to beef stew, but slow cooked in Belgian beer with caramelized onions and other goodness. Find a recipe and try it, it will change your life. 

     

I also tried shrimp that actually looked like shrimp for the first time. I pulled the tail off and picked the meat out and everything. I did ok until I found a pregnant one with all the eggs attached. Hans got a some great pictures of my reaction to that! But I have to admit I am pretty proud of myself for trying it.

  My new motto is "try anything (most things. Ha!) once"! 

      

After lunch we braved the high winds to walk down to the beach so I could stick my feet in the North Sea! I loved it even though the weather was crazy. 

                                  

                                   

                                   

Tomorrow we get down to business with the artwork and I could not be more excited for everything to come! I feel abundantly blessed and it's only been two days! 

Stay tuned for more excitement...

Xoxo

Katina