Thursday, April 30, 2015

More Easter

 Did eggs with O. He was here over Easter weekend.



 W. and O. drawing out of Ed Emberly books. They make great gifts for an 11-year-old's birthday.

Easter

 Obligatory Easter church picture. (All the kids were over for lunch except Samantha.)
 Dishing up.
 New fruit salad recipe. Yummy!
Spring flowers from Daughter Mac's folks. Beautiful!
Strawberry filling recipe. One package of cream cheese, softened, 1/2 c. powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. almond extract: whip together, then fold in 4 oz. Cool Whip. Pipe into whole strawberries that have been flat topped and have had the points sliced in and X shape. 

Monday, April 27, 2015

Sixty Years

Other things besides our trip to EU have been happening, so we will break in here with some of them. On April 2 my folks celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. We had a open house hosted by family on April 11.

 Sister Rose made the cakes.
 Ralph and Lois-oldest family friends who introduced Mom and Dad to each other on a blind date.
 Cousin fun. (Piper, W. and Olive)
 Old friends, new friends, relatives.

 Family introductions.



Surprise vow renewal prompted a few sniffles around the room.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Brussels


The men had a full day of meetings in Brussels at the EU, so I had the day to look around! I did some walking by the hotel. 

Husband saw this neat modern building which incorporated old window frames on its glass face.
A strawberry crepe seemed like a great idea for breakfast, and it WAS! 
I cabbed it to a nearby shopping area. Lovely old buildings and cobbled streets.

I can't resist ornate doors and old churches.



Beautiful food. I did not try any of these, but I did have an afternoon snack of these:

I found an antique store. O Happy Day! Bought a few carefully selected small things to bring back.

I plan to make some kind of necklace with my antique Brussels buttons.
The bread is just stacked in a carrier like this and people grab one and carry it out after buying it. I saw one lady put her groceries in the hatch back of her car and throw her bread in afterwards. No wrapping and they all seem fine. Take note USA.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Paris TTIP


Saw this crazy car on a rainy Paris morning when we got to the office where husband was to speak on an international trade issues panel.
Prepping with David G.and polishing presentation.


A farmer's perspective on international trade issues.
Eight speakers and moderator. 
After the Q and A finished around 6, we gathered our luggage and headed to Brussels where the men had more meetings the next day.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Paris Morning

The next morning, we packed our bags and headed to meetings. 
First we went to the American Embassy and met with USDA foreign Ag Service officers.

 Doug, David S. (FAS officer) and Woody
After the meeting we walked to the Talleyrand building for a quick tour. This is the building that Marshall used.



View from the Talleyrand. This is the square where the French Revolution beheadings were.
A cool pink Paris cycle we walked by.