Lightening Bug

Phew.  I know, its been a month since we’ve been back but I finally put up all the photos from our trip that are fit for public consumption on my flickr.  The last day in Amsterdam, there were only two pictures involving Tim and a Cary Grant film ad in Vondel Park, that you just sort of had to be there to understand.

Tim and I haven’t really gotten into any tv shows lately, but we got the first season of Heroes on DVD and have been enjoying them in marathon fashion.  There are about 46 episodes from the first season, and we are almost done.  I don’t love the violence, and I am totally confused about who is on what side, but the characters are great.

I am fearing the worst for Ike.  I hope my friends and family in the area are all safe!

Birthday Moon

I was lucky enough to have a beautiful day spent with Tim and my brother for my birthday during our trip.  We went to Ghent, did our favorite things, a canal cruise and climbed up many steps in a Belfort and ended up on the coast of the North Sea for beers on a pier and a yummy sea food dinner.  I can’t believe I am 33!

Greenwich

Yeah, we’re travel dorks. We met Rick Steves in a chess bar in Brussels called Greenwich. He wasn’t disguised in all khaki, or wearing his glasses so AJ and I were slightly thrown off, but Tim called it right away. He was really nice, and even though he was on the end of a 6 week trip to update his guide books, he stopped to chat with us.

I know Cynthia will be sooooo jealous.

::NOTE::

Be sure to check out YouTube for a few videos of our trip, especially the musical show that accompanied the Flower Carpet in Brussels. I will try to upload the videos throughout the week. Flickr only supports 90 seconds of video, so YouTube is it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sarahstim

–tim

Low Countries

Returned last night from our two week trip to the Low Countries.  Together with Andrew, we hit 10 cities in three countries: Brussels, Luxembourg City, Brugges, Ghent, Oostend, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Haarlem, Den Haag and Delft.  We met up with Brad and Sarah in Amsterdam too.  We had a grand time, ate sea food, frites with mayo, tostis with kaas, omlettes, pancakes, waffles, croissants and drank lots of sweet sweet Belgian beer.

We are working on uploading photos, so check the flickr throughout the week.  Wishing the trip could be longer, but happy to be back!  Loki missed us, but was well taken care of.

And, welcome to the world Malcolm!

Peachy

Does it make me a horrible person that I sometimes forget what fab kitchen implements I actually own? Like an ice cream maker? Earlier this week, I made green tea ice cream for a program at the library and it was delicious and a big hit. The same night I realized I had a bag full of fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. What to do? Make ice cream! Well, actually sorbet. So I peeled and blended on Monday and made this today, Wednesday. And while it was quite good, I can’t help thinking that it tasted a little, well, like old peaches. Next time I’ll peel, blend and freeze all in the same day.

1.2 million dollars later, our BelNeLux rail passes are purchased! Low countries here we come. Too bad this looks a little complicated, and possibly sold out, the lineup looks fantastic!

Swings

I love the swings.  I mean I love roller coasters too, especially the crazy ones that go upside down and all of that.  The there is something simple about the swings.  I wasn’t sure that a swing ride could top the swings at Navy Pier.  But when the carnies take a smoke break during your ride, making your swing time even longer…there is no comparison.   Thankfully Suzy loves the swings as much as I do!  We had a blast together this past weekend.

Also?  Is it so wrong that I really want to make this?  Ok, well really I want someone else to make it for me and just give me some.  For my birthday maybe?  You know, coming up.

Plotting

Dear St. Louis,

Watch out.

Love, Sarah

Yay!  Looks like I am going to St. Louis for the 4th to visit Suzy and family.  I haven’t been in years, but its always a good time.  A trip to the arch is a must (we have to go every time, but can’t beat the time that those people were doing the polka in front of us in line and Abby hated riding in the egg and there is the picture of Suzy’s hand on the cow’s butt in the exhibit even though she was only demonstrating) and maybe camping!

Tim will be at home studying, but also hosting a bachelor party.  Yeah!

Camera Rouge

Yay! My new camera came in the mail today and I loooove it!  It is a really early birthday present, just in time before my trip.  This gives me about a month to get used to it before we leave.  Three years ago, I got a new camera for my birthday.  And yes, I took pictures of that one when I got it too.

Also sort in a lead up to our trip, Tim and I caught the movie In Bruges this past weekend.  I think it is out on DVD now and we both highly recommend.

Bridges

Andrew was able to head out to the midwest last weekend and we headed over to Cincinnati to catch a Reds game.  We had a blast througout the weekend what with all the baseball, bridges, bars, pool playing, campus walking, grilling out, singing the Hola song, being in a vertical city, and planning our next trip later this summer.

Now if I could just get my act together and send out some very belated birthday gifts…

Thinking

Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.

In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.