A Sunday outing

Bethany and I went to see an Easter exhibit in a nearby town today. It was a rather disappointing event except for the man making glass blown Easter eggs.



There were lots of bunnies...
...and lots of chickens, but not very many Easter eggs.


The best part of the Easter exhibit was the flea market outside!

My finds: an old box with 2 skeleton keys, a brass plate and two miniature tea cups.

Italian flower garden

Outside one of the Italian restaurants in town there is an old well which doubles as a flower garden in the warmer months. It is so cute that I had to take some pictures of it.
Notice how each plant it in its own pot. It is so creatively put together.

Sneak preview

After several weeks of work I can finally put away my cutting tools and fabric pieces.
The top for Katy's grad quilt is finished and with Spring coming I'm finished with quilting for this season. But when September rolls around I'll be in full gear again to get her quilt ready for her. I am already excited!

Delicious soap

A soap store with soap that looked good enough to eat!

City shots

Personal space

It did not take long to discover when we moved to Europe that personal space has a very different definition here than in Canada. It is quite obvious in the grocery story when the people behind you are literally breathing down your neck or hitting you in the lower part of your back with their shopping cart. Driving is tight. If someone is on your tail it's not because they are impatient but rather that they like to be close! In a restaurant it's not uncommon for someone to come and sit at the table right next to you even if the rest of the restaurant is empty! In a crowded restaurant personal space differences are really highlighted. If there are empty seats at your table, don't expect this to be ignored. Instead, expect someone, a complete stranger, to come and sit with you!
Yesterday after shopping the girls and I went into a McCafe for something to drink. It was packed to the rafters. There were 3 seats available at a table where two men were sitting and I willed myself to take them, even though it was rather strange. After a bit they left and we changed our seating arrangement to a more comfortable, closed, Canadian-type of configuration. However, it wasn't long before we had company. Three German/Russian mothers arrived at our table with their 5 children. I scooted over to let them sit down. We had a great time with these little kids, especially the little boy. Basically we watched the children for the mothers while they were away ordering the food! It was a very enjoyable experience!
This little guy was so cute. He told me he was 3 but would be 4 when they got home. They must have been traveling. He also asked me where I was from and he told me where he was from, although I didn't quite catch that! He reminded me so much of a little guy from Brazil whose parents we first met in Canada (with him and his 2 brothers) and then worked with at the mission. It was so precious!

Street musicians

The girls and I drove up to a nearby city today to dress shop for Katy's high school banquet in May. We didn't have much success with finding a dress, but we sure did enjoy the street musicians.
Notice how this organ grinder is feeding the "music" into his organ. It was very carefully done.
This man's wooden flute could be heard for blocks...
...not to mention the rhythm he was keeping with his feet!
Have you ever heard Bach on an accordion? This was amazing.
These little drummer animals were actually keeping rhythm as this man played! It was crazy!
Mozart on the marimba. Absolutely beautiful.
A very skilled young musician.
A very well-played didgeridoo. Katy was sure he was just talking into it!

It must be Spring

My good friend, Doris, gave me a hot tip the other day. She had seen crocuses by the score and she said they were absolutely beautiful. After seeing them myself this morning, I have to agree. Now if only the weather could be a hot as the tip!