Over the holidays I had the extreme privilege of taking portraits of a family living its way through cancer. Johan is almost like family to us and I am grateful that I was invited to spend the afternoon with this incredible and kind family.
A beautiful love story and now many years and six kids later, they nestled in for the holidays to celebrate life, love and family. In our thoughts and prayers too.
Update: Bengt passed on February 9, 2013 surrounded by his family. I am proud to have met him.
Oi, feeling down with a never ending cold has got us stuck at home. Besides munching on some oh so delicious Chocolate Sables and playing with newly rented toys, there is nothing Bababoo loves more than throwing each and every book in her considerable collection on the floor. Huzza!
I present the evidence for your review. It is Zoe’s world and we are all just living in it.
Ahh, here comes Valentine’s Day. After a failed Christmas experiment (we bought an lovely, very large bed and decided it was our Christmas present to each other AKA super duper boring Christmas Eve, boo!), I have decided to go all out for Valentine’s Day. After all, aren’t holidays those wonderful bright spots in the year that give us something fun and festive to fix our minds on?
That said, the Bear’s gift is ordered and evening menu in the planning phase (think oysters and champagne, and my next blog post about emergency medical care for puncture wounds incurred when shucking said oysters). Here is a sweet image to jump start your heart on the romantical journey towards All Heart’s Day.
Dear friends and unsuspecting test audience. You vote counts! My lovely and brilliant friend Nina Peacock recently penned a very helpful go-to guide for being pregnant in Brussels called the Brussels Baby Book. Being as how things are prone to change rapidly around here, she is up for a second addition coming out soon. Nina has kindly asked if Bear & Dragon Photography would like to make its advertising debut in said pages. Of course! So I collected my favorite model and captive audience, Zoe, and here are the fruits of our labor/fun.
Here is where you come in: I have four very different images and not sure which to choose. Please vote! Just add your thoughts in the comments. THANK YOU.
Have you been to Le Wolf yet? What are you waiting for? With Brussels firmly in the grip of an icy January, I love nothing more than to cozy up with my little one and a book. And some cake and coffee. And there should also be a tiny cinema there playing delightful short films. Sounds a little specific? Well luckily, there is a wonderful children’s book store that foots the bill.
Le Wolf is tucked away behind Grand Place at Rue de la Violette 18. When you come in, you are immediately struck by the whimsy of it all with floor to ceiling birch trees, rows of bright books, wonderful art and a little house/cinema all nicely laid out for your pleasure. They do of course have loads of wonderful books in French and Dutch (practice makes perfect :-)). The cinema also plays short films for 2 EUR a go.
If you fancy a cake or coffee there are always several yummy looking ones in the little cafe.
But I have saved the best for last! There is a reading room in the back where you can relax on beanbags or a couch (very convenient for nursing as well) and read until your heart’s content. I really love this place! Check it out when you need to get that ball of energy out of the house but don’t want to freeze your face off. Salut!
Holy hot (cool) tip! Snow in Brussels is typically a meager affair. A light sprinkling here and there, quickly dissolved by traffic or rain. Boo! So this week when big, fat snowflakes started to fall, I wasn’t holding my breathe for a continuation of the white winter I had been enjoying to date. However, Holy Crap! We have actual snow. So exciting, so lush, so slippery.
Today I was minding my own business, riding Tram 39/44 down Tervueren when I looked to the right to one of my favorite parks, Parc de Woluwe and what should I see but a winter wonderland complete with THE perfect hill for sledding. WHAT?! I had to jump off at the next stop (Jules Cesar) and snap some pictures.
Ah, if only bababoo was a little older we would have been all over that! Kids, adults, dogs: everyone seemed to be having the time of their life. So my advice: go forth and sled! Bring your cardboard/sled/garbage bag and sled down an awesome hill just past the Embassy row on Avenue Tervueren. Happy, happy sledding!!
Where: Parc de Woluwe: take Tram 39 or 44 from Montgomery. Or drive. Or walk
When: While the sun shines and the snow holds
Why: Sledding is awesome!
The rain falls softly…I must be back in Brussels! It is great to be back and in the swing of things. Christmas promptly came down, food back in the refrigerator and Bababoo and I headed out for a little “us time”. For today, we made our second trip to a wonderful playroom called Maison Ouverte. Located in Woluwe Saint Lambert, Maison Ouverte is an open play space based on the idea that children need a place to socialize and have fun, while still having a parent or carer present in order to smooth the transition to a creche. With our creche debute coming up in April, I am ready to try anything!
Maison Ouverte is quickly becoming our “go to” place. Here are a couple reasons why:
–Really beautiful space with lots of new and varied toys: This is officially our testing ground before making a new toy purchase.
–Something for everyone: There is a lovely space for the 2 – 6 months set. It is set away a bit and filled with soft lovely toys. Zoe loves it too but if you worry about those older ruffians bulldozing your gentle baby, you are safe here. Also great secret spaces, big toys and a sink (trust me, its a super hit) for the mobile ones.
–Excellent staff: Somehow you can just tell that the ladies who work here really love what they are doing. And how could you not.
–Convenient by metro: Just a 3 minute walk from Gribaumont. Also tram connections.
–Strong coffee: Hey, I like coffee
Sheesh, it was just a matter of time before I made a bullet pointed list on this blog. Well, you can’t beat that! Seriously though, check it out and enjoy.
Where: 251 Ave Georges-Henri, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels 1200
When: Almost every day of the week! Monday to Friday 14:00-18:00. Excluding school holidays, Saturdays from 10:00 -13:00.
How much: Just 3 EUR.
Had a fabulous time photographing my little Bababoo and making our Christmas cards. Got alot of wonderful smiles. Turns out my fake sneezing is hilarious. 🙂 Which one is your favorite?
We are off to my native land of California tomorrow. Wish me luck on that 11 hour flight. I am loaded down with toys and snacks and don’t expect much sleep. Stay tuned for some backlogged posts when I am back: music classes, the best hot chocolate in Brussels and a happening brunch place (it does exist) great for kids.
Cheers!
Oh what fun it is to…shoot Christmas photos! I had the pleasure of shooting my lovely friends, Jana and Frank along with their little one, Tara. The day was merry and the kids were agreeable (Bababoo too). Though it made me long for my studio (ONLY ONE MONTH TO GO!) a great time was had by all. Enjoy!
Life of Bear and Dragon 