Hi there everyone!
How’s life treatin’ you? Are you slowly gearing up for summer and all the relaxation, sunshine, and vacation time it entails? If we could get a little bit of sunshine here in Belgium, I’d be a whole lot happier celebrating spring. For now, though, I’m left daydreaming of warm evenings lounging on the balcony, ice cold glass of lemonade in hand while casually watching the sun sink beneath the horizon. Daydreams aside, I’ve come to realize that there’s no better way to keep busy and celebrate spring than picking the few flowers growing in the garden and dressing them up into lovely little bouquets. During the two (yes, I can count them on two fingers) days of sunshine and warmer temperatures, I took refuge outside and let nature dictate my foraging fodder. Blues and reds dominated the garden, accentuated by the bright green growth of the surrounding shrubs and trees. All of the trees, that is, except for the red hazelnut. Gorgeous!
From the foraged material, I was able to eke out five colorful creations. After packing up the trunk of the car, I brought the first of the five floral arrangements, Dramatic Diana, to a local spot that is near and dear to my heart. Val Dieu.


I swear, this place is so special that luscious lilac branches sprout from its ancient stone walls.


Sweet Suzanne wanted to stay behind as well, basking beneath the lilac-scented fragrant air.


Next up was ‘s Gravenvoeren, a local village that I visit quite often yet somehow seem to have neglected during my Lonely Bouquet tours. Faithful Fiona stood alert underneath the war memorial located in the center of town.


From the scenic hills of the Voerstreek, I headed toward the Dutch border. Barely five minutes after crossing the border, I arrived at my next destination… the “pearl of the Hevelland”, Slenaken.


It’s cafe terraces bustling with activity, Slenaken seemed like the perfect spot to leave behind Leisurely Linda. She sat atop a wooden bench, enjoying the peaceful hubbub of weekend activity and the tranquil whisper of the stream waters flowing by.


In the parking lot, I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn’t been teleported back to California. This awesome oldie reminded me a lot of my very first car… except my car wasn’t quite as classic and it certainly wasn’t nearly as spiffy. It was my grandma’s old, white 80s Buick I so lovingly named Mildred.


From Slenaken I drove up and over the Loorberg and wound my way around the tiny villages before arriving at my final destination. Epen. Renowned throughout the region for its scenic vistas of the gorgeously green countryside, Epen immediately caught the attention of the last of our five flower friends, Adventurous Alex. She enjoyed sitting on a bench, taking in the scenery and watching the walkers passing by.


I drove back home, the car feeling a bit empty without the presence of energetic petals. Upon my arrival, I was greeted with the great news that both Alex and Linda had already found new homes. One lovely family took Alex home after completing a 15 (!) km hike with their kids. Linda, on the other hand, was taken all the way to Lanaken as a surprise for a family friend.
I hope the sunshine will return again soon, so I can get back out there and spread some more flower power!
Have a wonderful day everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow!