Envy

You know Chuck's wardrope in "Pushing Dasies"? I want it. All of it. Now.

O, and shoes too.

Today on Google.be

50th anniversary of the 1958 Expo and the Atomium.

The most beautiful bookshop in the world

A while back The Guardian published a list of the most beautiful bookshops in the world and since then Ana and I have been planning a visit to the #1, in nearby Maastricht. When we became serious about it and set a date, another 11 friends decide to join us.

Although the English section wasn't as developed as I was expecting, it was indeed a sight to be seen! I bought Bill Bryson's "Neither Here Nor There" and afterwards some of us girls still had time to loose our minds at Lush (when o when are they coming to Brussels?!... on the other hand, better not).

Bookcrossing friends: you would have loved it!

Revolutionary BBQ

... and this was the text sent yesterday with the fancy invitation:

...Aqui Posto de Comando do Movimento das Forças Armadas. As Forças Armadas portuguesas apelam para todos os habitantes da cidade de Lisboa no sentido de recolherem a suas casas, nas quais se devem conservar com a máxima calma*...

Dear Comrades,

On the 25th of April, Portugal celebrates its Carnation Revolution which in 1974 ended many decades of dictatorship. To celebrate it, Andre and I would like to invite you to a Revolutionary BBQ at our house on the 26th of April.

Please drop by after 1pm and bring your best revolutionary outfit. We would also appreciate help with food and drinks, in the appropriate communal spirit :) Also, feel free to bring any music from your own countries which you think suits the occasion!

Let me know if you and any plus-ones can join us.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 26th!

Alex and Andre

PS: A big thank you to Comrade Ines, who designed the invitation!

* Beginning of the go-ahead radio message which was the signal to launch the revolution. Amateur translation: "This is the Command Post of the Armed Forces' Movement. The Portuguese Armed Forces asks all of Lisbon's inhabitants to stay indoors, where they should remain with the utmost calm." This order was not followed and almost immediately people started showing their support in the streets. To know more go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnation_Revolution or ask the Portuguese people at the party, I'm sure you'll hear many interesting stories and different views.

Shame on you! (but couldn't help giggling)

From Post Secret:

Dreaming of a White Easter

For the first time in my life I cooked Easter lunch.

The initial idea was to invite a small group, but word spread and we ended up with 20 people on the list. In the end, only 10 showed up, including a Belgian radio journalist who wanted to know more about expat life in Brussels.

Because of tradition I set my mind on roasted lamb, so had to make a few emergency calls to my mother...

- What's that red thingy you use on the meat?
- Massa de pimentao.

(later)*panic voice* What do I?! It's impossible to find it here except in a Portuguese shop and it's too late to find one!
- Use colorau instead and ... etc etc

I actually think my mother is laughing inside, because I didn't listen to her when she was trying to teach me, and now I have to pay international phone calls... Anyway, if I may say so myself, the lamb was great, I was very proud of it and now I'm only afraid it was beginners' luck.

The rest of the day was spent watching movies and playing Trivial while building up space for the left-over sdinner. Meanwhile, outside the snow was falling which allowed us to enjoy a great walk in the woods on Monday morning (the holiday here is not Friday, don't ask me why).

Strange connections

Silly things one notices while watching TV:

Can you see it?