A Chicagoan in Belgium

Monkey in the middle

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:24:00 +0000

There's nothing like a brightly colored new Kipling bag to lift a girl's spirits -- monkey included!

The final countdown

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:55:00 +0000

Regardless of whether Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics, I'm proud of my hometown and it is great seeing it all over the news from so far away. Just a few hours to go until the big announcement....

Double trouble

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:41:00 +0000

Spotted today in Brussels: Two grown women dressed identically, down to shoes and handbags and even hair. Scary!

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The more things change..

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0000

...the more they stink! It'll always be SEARS TOWER to me. Whatcha talkin bout -- Willis?

Fuhgeddaboudit!

Re-living history

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:56:00 +0000

This year's Battle of Waterloo re-enactment lived up to its promise of special effects and high drama. Though a bit chaotic, it was a great show with Nappy doing a good job at working the crowds.

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Weekend happenings

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:21:00 +0000

There is oodles to do every weekend in Brussels, from various outdoor concerts to festivals to eating al fresco (weather-permitting) to this weekend's Battle of Waterloo re-enactment. Life is nice!

Poirot over Papa

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Fictional detective Hercule Poirot ("I'm not a Frenchy, I'm a Belgy") beat Papa Smurf in a Belgofile poll of favorite Belgian fictional heroes. Thanks for participating!

Ready for Schaerneval

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:55:00 +0000

The Schaerbeek donkey is ready for this week's Schaerneval parade. Are you?

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Spotted in Brussels this week

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Pouring rain did not stop a couple of fellas dressed as fruit & veg from trying to stop traffic in the EU district the other day!

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Setting Snail

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Last week I had the pleasure of a brief chat with Carlos Petrini, the father of the worldwide Slow Food Movement, at Bozar in Brussels. He's all about eating and enjoying foods made with quality ingredients and according to traditional methods, so when I asked him what he eats when on an airplane his answer was: "I fast!"

Protesters' paradise

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Despite today's grim wet weather there were at least TWO protests happening in the EU district, one by the Free Tibet faction and other by Save the Planet types outside the Justus Lipsius building. The more the angrier?

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Celebrity circuit

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Question: What do Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Katy Perry all have in common? No, they do not all work for the Obama Administration (unless Katy recently made a career switch) -- they've all swung through Brussels in the past week -- Hillary and Katy last week (in separate appearances), Biden this week at NATO. Who will be next?

Funny veg

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:58:00 +0000

This celeriac was festively festooned at a neighborhood Delhaize grocery store -- not sure why, but definitely festive! (Seemed to be part of a beer display.)

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Czech it out

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:57:00 +0000

A lively sculpture on display at the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels. Caused a bit of a stir and a shake-up, but at least it brightens up the place. Recognize any of the countries?

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Spring in one's step

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:18:00 +0000

A burst of spring spotted at a Schuman-area flower stand on this semi-wintry day in the Belgian capital!

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This spud's for you!

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:38:00 +0000

The Sekler potato from Romania was the star of a lunchtime event at the European Parliament today, sponsored by MEP Csaba Sogor. Not sure if I am enticed enough to visit the annual Potato Festival in Csikszereda, but it was certainly something different.

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Yes, they did

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Ommegang Brewery, a Cooperstown, N.Y.-based company specializing in Belgian style ales, brewed a special brand to celebrate the inauguration of 44 -- appropriately called Obamagang, in homage to the annual Ommegang pageant in Brussels. Not sure if it's still available, but it apparently has a hint of kriek and strong chocolate flavors.

Hello, Mr. President!

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:04:00 +0000

This blog is apolitical, but one cannot help but feel happy at the start of the Obama Presidency!! America is in capable hands, but the new president has his work cut out for him. God bless America and its new president!

Goodbye, Oh Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:57:00 +0000

It's sort of sad but cleansing to take down the tree and all the trimmings...fortunately the City of Brussels this upcoming Sunday will recycle all trees waiting on the sidewalks as of Saturday night. If only people would be motivated to shovel or salt their sidewalks then we could all have a slip-free new year!

Belgian Women Rule

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:39:00 +0000

Belgium's Justine Henin and Kim Gevaert make a surprise appearance at Brussels' Residence Palace -- at a press conference unveiling the new ambassadors for the Belgo-Dutch campaign to host the 2018 soccer World Cup. Presumably preoccupied with Fortis and other matters, Belgian prime-minister Yves Leterme was a no-show, but it was much more exciting to see these two world-class athletes.

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Gobble gobble

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Americans! For those that are interested, Pumpkin and Pecan were the lucky turkeys who received this year's Thanksgiving pardon from outgoing President George W. Bush. Enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving!

Trick or Treat!

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:40:00 +0000

Candy corn is the preferred Halloween treat of choice for two out of four respondents to a Belgofile poll, followed by Mini-Mars bars and Sweet tarts. Have a safe & happy and sweet-filled Halloween!

Burst of Color

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:09:00 +0000

A nice burst of red in autumn (looks like holly). Happy 50th anniversary of the Smurfs! A nice blue sky in Brussels for the occasion.

Political Pumpkins

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:35:00 +0000

Here is ONE idea, albeit rather far-fetched, for politically-themed Jack O Lanterns.

Smurf that!

noreply@blogger.com (FeistyGirl) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Celebrity Smurfs unveiled at Brussels Meridien Hotel! Less than two weeks to go until the charity Smurf auction on Smurfs' 50th smurfday. Smurf there or be smurf! La, la, la, la, la, la, la...

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