I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…..

It has been years since Belgium has experienced this much snow so early in the winter. November is usually not the month for snow, but lucky for Dior and I we are able to enjoy it before we get ready to head back to California! We really wanted to visit a Christmas market in Germany but with the snow, rain and ice it was too dangerous to drive. I tried looking up trains to Germany but most of the trains were either sold out or canceled due to weather. Hopefully we will try to go this week.  We did however visit a Christmas market in Brussels! Christmas markets are very popular in Europe, they are made up of tons of stands selling an assortment of things like hats, watches, candles, lamps, Russian dolls, candy, dried fruit (even apricots!) etc… What we loved most about the market were the BEST waffles… covered in melted chocolate! Yum!  Now to update you on Dior's basketball team: The Bears have won the last four games! This Saturday they play an undefeated team named Charleroi... I'm hoping for a huge upset!  Go Bears!

My snow angel!

Our "sidewalk" covered in snow!

Christmast Market at Place Saint Catherine. Brussels, Belgium.

In front of the ice skating rink.

Whole apricots dried!

The biggest ferris wheel we've ever seen.

Top 5 waffle in Belgium.

Waiting in line at one of the little house stands.

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Thanksgiving away from home! I cooked a special meal for just Dior and I on Thanksgiving. I baked a whole chicken.. my version of a mini turkey :) We had mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, sweet potatoes and creme brulee for desert! Very simple but lovely evening.

Then on Sunday we had a big Thanksgiving dinner with Dior’s teammates and the other girls here.  Malu, Monica, Marine and I divided the cooking tasks… Monica was the brave one who baked our turkey. She kept telling Malu and I how easy cooking a turkey is but I was afraid to ruin it so I steered clear of that job.   The food came out amazing!



John Tofi led us in prayer before our meal then we went around one by one saying what we are thankful for (just like we do at home).  For some reason I got really choked up when it was my turn, I didn’t cry but I definitely was on the verge of tears. I know traveling Europe is what many people dream of doing but on days like that I just wish I was home in Hollister.  Thank goodness we are surrounded by such wonderful people here in Belgium.


Finally, one of Dior’s teammates named Cass entertained us with the best magic card tricks! I’m still trying to figure out how he pulled them off!