Bullar time!

Every December I like to make Lussekatter (lucia Buns) and Kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls). I made them here to give away as christmas gifts and also to bring some to Spain for Christmas morning. I think my roommates think that I am crazy but they benefit and don't care! Mmmm...they are yummy. It only took five hours...good thing I woke up early to get an early start. Now I can force myself to study for the rest of the week.

Weekend Trip to Prague

This past weekend I went to Prague to visit my friend Joanna who has been living there for over two years. I had such a good time. Prague is a beautiful city. It was a plus that the euro goes a long way there. I saw the typical tourists things like the Communism Museum, the HUGE castle and its surrounding buildings, St. Vitus, Charles Bridge, Old Town, New Town, The Astronomical Clock and the Christmas markets in the squares. Everyone needs to go before it starts getting more expensive. I hear the "New Prague" is Krakow in Poland. Next stop??

Joanna wanted me to show her how to make Kanelbullar again so we spent a day baking and trying to find cardemom in Czech. No luck, but I had brought some just in case!

Student Thanksgiving

Our spread was not as fancy and Grandpa and Gun's but it was really good! We even had some international touches with Chinese dumplings and a Malaysian dessert. We had the basics like stuffed chicken, stuffed butternut squash, mashed potatoes, cranberry/orange relish(thanks Mom!) and pumpkin pie. A Serbian girl made a really good vegetable soup as a starter. For a holiday touch we made Glühwein. Most of the students are from the Erasmus program. There were also a few Dutch students there as well. I think everyone enjoyed their first Thanksgiving!

And Ghent again

So much history so little time. I will just have to go back again and again and again.

Ghent

The top photo is Dolores. We where right up front which was easy since it was a standing hall. Trappest bier is AMAZING. I really don't like beer but let me tell you, the Belgians know how to roll. They know how to do things right. (Putting the issues they are dealing with right now aside)They have beautiful cities, chocolate, coffee, pastries, beer and lace. They enjoy the good things in life. I think I was a Belg in my past life. People were so friendly. They helped us even when we did not ask for it. They also have discounts for the citizens, students and youth. The Netherlands looks so strict, tasteless, overpriced and boring compared to Belgium. Too bad no Food Science Masters in Ghent...It must have been the French influence.

More Brugge

Still Brugge, we went to Chocostory which is a chocolate museum. Everyday we also had to sample the "wafels". I am addicted. Good thing I don't live there ;) The girls in the picture are Karima and Laura. It was us three who went to Gent for a concert (Dolores O'Riordan from the Cranberries was performing). In order to get a ride we had to leave Friday instead of Saturday. We decided to check out Brugge for a night and day. Totally worth it!!!!!

Brugge

I LOVE BELGIUM! The above pics are around Brugge. Our friend Amandine dropped us off in Gent on her way back home to Belgium for the weekend and then we took a train to Brugge and stayed in a fun hostel.