ladies' weekend, weekend of loss

It's been almost a month since we had this ladies weekend in Oyes. On the picture you can see my gorgeous Reetian girlfriends. What started out as a running club some five years ago has now become more of a leisure club. 

The weather was amazing, over 25 degrees (in October!) 

At the same time this was also a sad weekend for our family, because we lost my beloved father in law Jean-Paul. 

We had known for some time which way we were heading, but the time is never right. 

We will miss him so much and his memory will live forever! 

Jean-Paul with his little princess at Emil's communion in May

From the left: Elke, Annemie, Mieke, An, Gerd and Emmy

The making of champagne, Simon explaining

How time flies...

When we entered the barn last week we found this beautiful owl on the floor. We agreed that we must have locked it in there when we last left the house. A bit sad, to have caused the death of this wise bird, but on the other hand it was a good occasion to get a close look and show it to the children.
Louis wanted to have it stuffed, but as it had been dead for a while we managed to convince him otherwise. Then Isabelle wanted to take to the kids' school in a carton box, but changed her mind after taking a closer look.
Isabelle is Michel's childhood friend, daughter of one of Liliane's best friends Monique. We invited Isabelle and her impressive family (4 daughters :) ) to spend the weekend with us. On Saturday night we were joined by Tante Hélène and oncle Jean.
The kids had a great time playing all together, Madeleine felt like she was dreaming I guess, with all these girls around.
We didn't take any pictures, but I have requested some from Isabelle and Nicolas and will upload them as soon as I can...  In the meantime, here is the main attraction of the weekend :)

The wisest of birds



Summer holidays and painting the house

It's been something of a wild summer on our part this one, travel, work and visits made it a rich entertaining and quickly passing summer holiday.
We haven't been as much to the house as we would have wished, but we can't be everywhere at the same time ;) We had a tremendous three weeks back in another one of the many places we can call home, the Faroe Islands.
But that does not mean that the house has been left alone. It was partly rented out and also Stefan and Marije spent two weeks there, painting much to our pleasure. The house is so fresh and bright now. We always loved it, but now it's even better. And Marijes enthousiasm is so inspiring and left me with many plans for things to do in the months, and years to come :)
Last weekend we had 3 days of Champagne, Saturday spent painting a bit with Marije, then groceries shopping and barbecue'ing on the hot summer evening, the kids had a good time. Madeleine found a new best friend in Malou, she doesn't mind that she's twice her age and neither does Malou.


As far as the garden is concerned, we missed a lot of the fruit this year, but apparently it hasn't been such a good year for fruit and vegetables, I picked and froze 2 kg of rhubarbs, they will survive any summer:). The champagne from this years grapes, however, is supposed to be exceptional, so we better preorder our Millesime for 2014 :

Bedroom painted very pale yellow, in this room the paper was coming off the walls,  Marije fixed that and the coat of paint gave the room new life.

"Madeleine's room" pale rose paint named "parfum". Next project a bed to suit a proper princesse :)

Madeleine's room

The bathroom got a fresh layer aswel, and Stefan changed the silicone around the bath, FRESH :)

The hallway downstairs, light blue

Master bedroom, hasn't been painted but derves a photo aswell

Living room, so much brighter in light blue now

Living room

Kitchen in light green

I painted one of the old tables that came with the house,  will do a second layer when we go there next time,.

It was so hot, above 30 degrees, hopefully the beginning of an Indian summer

My dear Turid mostir (aunt) July 2011

Sweet Marita, July 2011

HI :)

Apple

Au Revoir Madame Paris

She was a small lady but such a grand person. She had lived her entire life here in the village of Oyes, born on the same farm where she passed away two weeks ago. At a young age she lost her father and that was when she took over the family farm with her husband Felix. Felix passed away some three years ago and madame Paris did feel lonely sometimes. 

Once she said to me "La vie est bien faite et puis elle n'est pas bien faite" So simple and so wise. 

She carried vegetables and eggs to our house but more importantly she carried great wisdom that was always welcome. 

The news of her death was shocking, yes, she had been ill for most of spring but she was always outside and didn't skip one single of the two daily walks she took her dog Dora on, so we were looking forward to seeing more of her during the holidays, exchanging courgettes for lemon cakes and learning more lessons on harvesting fruit and trimming trees. 

We had even brought a print out of a picture Michel took of her and her dog in front of our house. Michel gave it to her daughters on the day of her death. In stead of hanging on her kitchen wall it was used for the cover of the folder distributed at her funeral. 

Michel and I talk about how it is possible that someone we had only known for a year has had such a big impact on us. I can't tell you the answer exactly, but she was a very special person and we will miss her greatly and cherish the memory of Madame Paris. (1930-2011)

Janinne Paris walking Dora, April 2011

Michel 40, Summer Holidays, and Family visit

Finally the long awaited day was here, 2nd of July, party time. We had guests from near and far come and celebrate the forty-year-young birthday boy. 

It was a great day, the weather Gods were on our side and made dinner a sunny, happy feast for everyone. 

We were really happy and honoured to have guests drive all the way from Antwerp, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Some flew in from the Faroes and my cousin from Pennsylvania was here as well, thank you all.  It was quite a day for us. 

We are now officially on our summer holidays and enjoying every minute of it, we are as lucky as to have had and still have plenty of family visits. Leyvoy and Alain were here for a few days and my lovely aunt Turid. 

Both of my sisters have been here with their families, Turid is leaving tomorrow. My friend forever Marita was here with her family and last but not least we have the pleasure of having our omma around us for a few weeks. So nice to compensate for all the time that we miss each other during the year. 

Here are a few pictures, enjoy!

Michel's birthday

The youngest party animals, dressed to kill :)

The Dutch guys

The dance floor

The day after

Madeleine and Sarah in the garden of the Abbey of Saint-Gond, beautiful rental house just 500 meters from our house.

The kids

Sisters and brothers (in law anyway)

Poppies, Klaprozen, Valmuur, but I like best "Coquelicots", so romantic... 

Biking with the dolly in the child seat, well a horsy really...

Magnificent Magna!

Mamma

Dutch friends and Louis 10!!

Hi you all,
I haven't been as active as I  wish on my blog, but here's some news from Oyes.

We were very happy to welcome our Dutch friends Stefan and Marije with their three lovely kids, Malou, Sem and Amélie for some time together. Reminded us of happy times in Amsterdam when we were young(er).
Besides fun and joyous, there visit was highly inspiring, Marije is a great decorator and we even made a deal that they will come and help us out with some painting and decorating over the summer :)... exciting!
They stayed a few days longer than us as their kids were on holiday, did some day trips to Paris and Disneyland.
Ever since we bought the house I've been talking about Paris, this summer I will definitely go there and I will do it on my bike, with my mother :)

Cherry tree, heavy with fruit

Cherry blossom girl

Enjoying hot weather and good food that Stefan and Marije cooked for us :)

Marije

Sem

Malou

Stefan 

Amélie

 Louis boy - 10 years old!!

Louis celebrated his birthday with his two best friends Liam and Lander. Emil invited his long time friend David for the occassion.

We had a nice day out to the medieval city of Provins, the boys got really creative and treated us to several shows in the theater room in the garden.

We had birthday cake and dinner with Mike and Glenis, Lili and Amelia. 

Next time Michel's up for his 40th!! That will be FUN :)

Emil and David relaxing in our new (old) chairs from Liliane and J-P

The big boys hanging out in the shed, far away from the grown-ups ;)

Medieval wasn't quite long ago enough... they went prehistoric :)

We picked the cherries, I put some 5 kg in my freezer, will be good for home made cherry sauce and jam later :)

Kids asleep... a nice cuppa...

L3

They are so funny, gotta love them...

Mr. Handsome <3