Quick Takes #235: Happy Belgium Day!

In honor of Belgium National Day I decided to focus on that lovely little country today.

1. About the size of Maryland, Belgium rest in western Europe above France and below the Netherlands. Luxembourg and Germany sits on the eastern border.
2. My mom is just back from a visit and I.can't wait to see the pictures and catch up on the news of friends and family.  While I never lived there; having visited many times and knowing that it is the homeland of much of my family (my mother's whole family, she was the only one of her siblings to stay here permanently) it has always felt familiar and dear.
3. The food is amazing with frites (french fries), chocolate, beer and waffles forming the four most commonly recognized cornerstones.  Other national favorites include mussels, rabbit, salad liegeoise, and tomato stuffed with shrimp salad.
4. Officially bilingual with Flemish spoken mostly in the north and French spoke mostly in the south.  My mom grew up in the capital Brussels which is in the south and so my mom's primary language is french, though all of my cousins also learned flemish in school and their children also attend bilingual schools.

5. Bruge, a canal city often called the Venice of the North, and Antwerp are two other wonderful cities to visit.  I was luck enough to visit Bruge shortly before my wedding and pick-up some its famous lace to carry.

6. There is also forty miles of beautiful seacoast,  and the Ardenne (the hill country) in the east, plus the Waterloo Memorial as other wonderful options to check out.

7. Happy Belgian Day, to those celebrating and Good Weekend to the rest!!

Please visit Kelly's for more 7QT's.

Day 2 ~ The Roots of the Tree (31 days)

Day 2

     I come from two very different backgrounds; on my mom's side I'm Belgian ~ as in I'm first generation American since my mom was born and raised in Belgium coming to the United States in her twenties to work.  She later met my dad and marrying made her life here.  Her older brother had come to U.S to study but went back to Belgium after earning his degree.  My grandparents (her parents) were both born in Belgium.  My mom grew up in Brussels (the capital) and is French speaking though her father's family was originally from Holland, coming to Belgium I don't know when.

On my dad side I am New England mutt; we didn't come over on the Mayflower or anything notable but have lived in the region for so long when the family came to the U.S has passed from family history; a mix of English, Scottish and German.  My father was born in Rhode Island (me too); and I believe his dad was born in Massachusetts and his mom in Maine but should clarify that with my uncle at some point.

My husband is 3rd/4th generation Irish on his dad's side and 3rd/4th generation Polish/Croatian on his mom's side.  His family of origin incorporated traditions from both cultures some of which we are trying to continue with ours.

Where I'm From

I am from metal swing sets, from Tupperware cups and Kool-aid to drink.

I am from the best driveway to roller skate down, watching for deers out the back window, European elegance and American Craftsmanship.

I am from the Christmas cactus growing inside, and  tomatoes and lily of the valley growing outside

I am from leaving my shoe out for St. Nicholas and talking at the table after dinner, from Milou  and Pierre, Roland and Hazel.

I am from bring a stack of books home from the library, pancakes on the weekend and jumping into the leave pile.

From get your hair out of your face and "What are We Men!".

I am from Amazing Grace, One Bread One Body, from sacraments of grace, and men of good will seeking tolerance and understanding

I’m from Providence, Galilee Beach, and Loon Mountain by way of Belgium, from lobsters, clam cakes, and fighting for the piece of chocolate with the elephant.

From the Bon Papa who wanted grandchildren, the Apple Girl, and the URI graduate.

I am from many, many albums kept in the dresser, color pictures under clear plastic covers and black & white held by the corners. from slide shows late at night, from stories told and re-told, cherished and honored.


Thanks Sara for the inspiration!